User Reviews

I liked this film. The French formula for romantic comedy doesn't depend on the characters being rich, young and handsome, an opulent setting , and no old people (except for very minor characters). French directors find romance in the humbler areas of Paris as well as the flashier parts. Camille (Audrey Tautou), an art school dropout, works as a cleaner, or "surface engineer" as she likes to be called. She lives in a garret in the same old apartment building as Philibert (Laurent Stocker), who is young and good-looking, but is the French equivalent of a dim gentleman. Philibert sells postcards for a living. Notwithstanding a stutter, he aspires to a career on the stage. He shares his rather grand but dowdy apartment, his grandmother's former home, with the gruff Franck (Guillaume Canet), a womanizing chef. Franck is pre-occupied with looking after his elderly grandmother Paulette (Francoise Bertin), who is hospitalized after a fall. When Camille falls ill Philibert invites Camille to convalesce at his place. Soon she is striking sparks off grumpy old Franck.

Philibert isn't gay; it's just that his romantic interests lie elsewhere. It is Pauline who draws Franck and Camille together. The French title "Ensemble C'est Tout" ("Together, That's All") says it all, really. (I haven't a clue what this film has to do with hunting and gathering).

Audrey Tautou has just about got the market for sexy French waifs sewn up. I've seen her in several other films and her performances are similar. Guillaume Canet lets us see his gruff chef's soft side and Francoise Bertin also evokes sympathy for someone made tiresome by old age. The part of Philibert's love interest Aurelia is severely truncated (the result of putting a 600 page novel into 100 minutes of film). This also tends to sideline Philibert later in the film.

I very much liked Jean de Floriet and Manon des Sources, directed by Claude Berri 20 years ago (two other literary adaptations). He is a very conservative, straightforward director, but he can produce some very vivid work. One very touching scene here is when Philibert goes to a speech therapist to cure his stutter. The therapist, Phillipe van Eeckhout, is one in real life and treated Berri after a recent stroke damaged his speaking ability.

So, we have no glamorous stars (though Audrey Tautou is big in France) and no shimmering background. But it's a warm-hearted story with some real emotion and, dare I say it, a happy ending. And here's something for the nit-pickers. Franck would never have got to London from the Gare du Lyon (except via the connecting suburban RER line). Paris - London trains leave from the magnificent Gare du Nord. But who cares?

It's Audrey Tautou, and ever since Amelie, I am of the opinion that Singaporeans have an affinity for the pint sized actress, and her box office draw here is fairly strong. Count me in as one of the fans who will lap up her cinematic outings, good or bad, so long as our heroine gets the opportunity to shine on screen.

Hunting and Gathering is based on a novel by Anna Gavalda, and tells the story of four individuals whose lives converge in an apartment. In this movie directed by Claude Berri, I thought that it was split into 3 acts, with story arcs focused on the challenges faced by each of the characters. Tautou stars as Camille Fauque, a near anorexic surface engineer who smokes a lot, guzzles alcohol, but eats very little. Living alone in a small attic of an apartment block, she meets Philibert (Laurent Stocker), a fellow neighbour who suffers from bouts of anxiety. Philibert's housemate Franck (Guillaume Canet) is a chef who lives hard and fast, whose only worry is the welfare of his grandmother Paulette (Francoise Bertin), a senior citizen who fears being tossed aside by kin, and makes life quite difficult for her caretakers.

The narrative is quite plain actually, with every conceivable development being very predictable. That means no quirky twists and turns for the sake of it, and it actually allows you to shift to lower gears to enjoy this outing. It's a story about having dreams, fulfilling them, and helping others to fulfill theirs too, through encouragement and support rendered. Having all four characters together under one roof, though brief it might be, did seem like an episode of Friends gone all French and all whacked with the age grouping, and proving correct the adage that two's a company and three's a crowd.

It did try to cover a lot of ground given that there are a number of characters here, but it did so at the expense of depth. The romance entanglements between characters did seem rather superficial, bland, trivial and predictable, while Philibert's quest to stem out his stammering through stage acting unfortunately had to take the backseat, and thus having his character fade away somewhat for the last act of the movie. The most meaningful and beautiful arc here belongs to Francoise Bertin's Paulette, as her tale of fear of abandonment rings through very honestly, and somehow, you'll start to wonder when you're of old age, whether you will have companions whom you can get along with, or be forgotten and tossed to some old folks' home to spend your twilight years in. I felt that it was superiorly poignant, without which there would be no emotional anchor for this movie.

Somehow, movies that feature food and classy restaurants (Ratatouille, Mostly Martha and No Reservations anyone?) of late that I've watched always have fallen into the clichéd ending. I'm unsure if it's an unwritten rule to have it done so, or if it's a formula that has proved to work every time. But in all earnestness, I thought it ended quite nicely with that happily ever after feel. In summary, definitely worth a watch for the eye candy cast, but it plays like a generic romantic / friendship tale that possesses potential that was hardly scratched.

Ensemble, c'est tout is an enjoyable romantic movie. The basic premise is of romantic comedy, but the treatment is different. There are lot of dramatic elements thrown in and the characters are given a long time to establish themselves in their given roles.

Audrey Tautou is one of my favorite actresses and she has done a wonderful job as always. But her performance is very similar to what she has done in other films and frankly I am getting a little bit tired of it. I mean it is wonderful but I would like to see her do something else too. She has been doing the Amelie act for a long time now.

Nothing is really new in the movie but execution is different, which kept me hooked. All in all, a very enjoyable movie.

I have just seen the movie in Sydney and enjoyed it very much. My last movie was "conversation with a gardener" which I enjoyed equally. I was French for 27 years and movies that can bring me back to what I missed the most are indeed pleasing. Not that I could really identify with any of the characters but simply their actions and the settings in which they happened brought back vivid memories. One can philosophy as much as one wishes to. But I feel actors very heart of their vocation is to make the audience enjoy the reality of their acting. And this reality will affect any normal sophisticated or unsophisticated person if that person is not too busy playing the critic or demanding a particular agenda. Our life experience is something we can't deny, no matter whom we may be. So these 3 then 4 characters are just doing that following their dreams in a too human way, and the only way they know how to do it. I'm not too well versed in directors trends or particular project, I just manage to retain some actors'name, Tatou is now one of them, yet it's her characters that interests me. I'm simply feeling good, bad or indifferent with movies. Just like wine, I don't drink label, but hope to enjoy the taste. Why "Hunting and Gathering"? I certainly understand better "Ensemble, C'est tout". Am I missing something here? Just the same I'll have to agree - togetherness, even if a pain at times, is yet preferable to loneliness.

I liked the film. Though it differs from the novel by Anna Gavalda. I imagined a bit another Franck, but Guillaume Canet is so charming, and I must admit that he perfectly fits his part. Audrey Tautou isn't the best Camille... but I'm used to her being the "prima ballerina" of the French cinema... I reckon that are Philibert (Laurent Stocker) and Franck (Guillaume Canet) who make the whole film worth watching. And of course I must admit Tautou's good acting. All the actors beautified the film. It's no use retelling the plot. It's not a detective story with millions of turns up. This film speaks about life. And you know, read the book first. That's my advice. The film isn't as good as its original. But nothing's perfect! And if you want to form your own opinion (not the director's one) about Camille, Franck, Philibert, Paulette...... both read and watch.

What a pleasant surprise this film turned out to be! After about 25 mins, i was totally hooked into this quartet of terrific, subtly drawn characters. What could have been a fairly stock- standard, 'everyone-comes-together-in-Paris' type of comedy-drama, is elevated by great performances (the always gorgeous Audrey Tautou and the impressive Guilliame Canet in particular), considered production design & a script that doesn't take the easy way out and continually defies your expectations.

Wholly charming, this is a great romantic fable, hugely fun, and should appeal to anyone who wants a thoughtful yet enjoyable trip to the cinema.

In a nutshell, this film mainly reflects a love story between two ordinary people, who at first were both agonized by the realities they faced. There are many interwined little episodes that are also worth savoring. What is amazing about this film is that the depiction of several common people with their own life problems can emit such positivity as to encourage us to have a less bleak view of our own destiny.

From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Every member of the cast was excellent but I particularly loved Guillaume Canet. I first saw him in Jeux d'enfants and fell in love with him (who wouldn't?). As for Audrey Tautou, I finally saw what all the fuss was about. I have seen Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, but I didn't care for it at all.

I only wish that this film had been longer so that we could have been better acquainted with Philibert since he was such an interesting character.

I also loved Françoise Bertin's performance as it was very touching. I identified with the struggle that many of us face in trying to care for someone and trying to earn a living.

All in all, a very commendable film.

French Romantic Comedies of late are inevitably more charming, but still as generic as their shrill Hollywood cousins. This is no exception with interesting issues like the absence of motherly love and the isolation of today's singles only hinted at, while the usual knee-jerk narrative devices take over up to the feel-good ending.

With its likable cast, some nice little ideas and Berri's fluent if unmemorable direction, the whole slight affair is easy to swallow, but remains too bland to provoke any deeper emotions.

But in French RomComs, at least, there's no Matthew McConaughey in sight.

5 out of 10 grandmotherly breasts

This is an excellent but relatively little-known film scripted and directed by Claude Berri. The original French title of the film is ENSEMBLE, C'EST TOUT. It is based on a novel by Anna Gavalda. It offers yet another opportunity for the Elf (Audrey Tautou) to shine, which is always welcome to tautouologists. Her eyes are just as big as usual. Indeed, the behaviour of this rare mammal never disappoints and is as interesting as the meerkats, especially with her great big eyes. Elves also have the advantage of being related to humans, so that they are even more endearing. Here the Elf pretends to be difficult and disturbed, which we tautouologists know is only acting. Equally difficult and disturbed is Guillaume Canet, who for a long time does not fully appreciate the Elf, and is apparently blind to her merits. Indeed, there is even initial hostility between them. But then something called Love enters the story, and the two creatures discover the joys of cuddling and other such intimacies which mammals enjoy. Dancing round these two creatures is a splendid one called Laurent Stocker, who plays the character called Philibert, an aristocrat with many more grand names after that, including also the necessary 'de', without which no French aristocrat is complete. He is what is known as 'effete', but in the most charming and delightful and scatty way. They all end up living together in a gigantic flat in Paris which is full of antiques and family portraits of the 'de' family. As for the Elf and the Canet, they are not aristocrats, and the Canet has boorish habits such as living in an untidy nest with things all over the floor. This is a very charming romantic comedy, directed with the flair which we normally associate with the Berri, and which suits all films starring the irresistible Elf. All animal lovers and Francophiles will love this film. And even the French, who are so hard to please, must enthusiastically enjoy such an ensemble, and believe that c'est tout. Of course, this all happened a very long time ago, in 2007. But its warm glow persists in the sky of celluloid heaven.

It begins in a quite French comedy way. It's the cleaning girl who lives under the roof, the extremely nerdy young Parisian aristocrat and the young soft macho chef aspirant. They come together and it could have been both entertaining and thought inspiring.

But it turns into feel-good in a manner which is worse than most Hollywood remakes. Audrey Tautou doesn't have that variation in her acting that you now can demand. Or does the take the wrong parts? Guillaume Canet as the young chef is better.

But the story is too simple, looking at the big market in the West too much. You don't feel as good from this as was intended.

Not used to French movies. Just watched by chance, and just loved it. The story, the set, the characters, all the characters full of tenderness and funny. After watching it and loving it so much, I researched about it. It is based on Anna Gavalda's book, which I bought in French to revive my rusty French. This movie has reconnected me with French movies.

Claude Berri's most disappointing movie to date. Perhaps Claude is surrounded by too many 'yes' people to take a truly objective look at his efforts. How some critics could extrapolate any glowing positives from such a tepid offering truly indicates that a career in film critique is available to just about anyone. Remarkably ALL the characters lacked an ounce of charisma (quite an achievement in itself),with the result that 60 minutes into the movie you really could not care where the thinnest of plots was heading. Quite sad to say that even the normally beguiling Miss Tautou could not provide a sufficient distraction either - perhaps the 'Da Vinci Code' has momentarily upset her ability to distinguish turkeys from true quality.

"Hunting and Gathering" is the penultimate film of Claude Berri, the last tycoon of French cinema. He passed away before completing his final project but I like to think of that one as the last one made under his full artistic supervision because it's a fitting ending to a rich body of work and the subject poetically closes an arc traced by his first feature film "The Old Man and the Child" with Michel Simon...

There truly is a poignant and satisfying feeling of full circle with the theme of people who overcome isolation and find a ray of sunshine in their lives through the presence of others. It's as simple as that but sometimes it's within the simplicity of moments such as people sharing a meal, a drink, a conversation that faith in happiness can be revived. The film might never leave a indelible impression, it's not on par with Claude Berri's celebrated works such as "So Long, Stooge", or "Jean de Florette/ Manon des Sources" but it does leave the viewer with with a little smile in your face and a great deal of satisfaction.

There are four protagonists, all wonderfully played by their respective actors, I did believe in each of them though I must admit I had a hard time sympathizing with Guillaume Canet's Franck who plays the bad boy with a golden heart. It's not his performance but rather the way he was perhaps the most "obvious" of all. He's a young chef who takes care of his grandmother Paulette (Françoise Bertin) a woman in her eighties and whose declining health put her in a retirement home, far from her little house, her garden and her cats. Oh I'm digressing, I was talking about Franck. The offspring of a failed union, left by both his parents and raised by Paulette, he built a defensive hard-to-get attitude to preserve himself from deception and drowns his bitterness in beer and one-night stands... life for his meals, love is one thing to make, not enjoy.

Franck isn't the only one with demons, there's Camille played by Audrey Tautou. She doesn't see eye to eye with her mother and works as a janitorial worker, she's anorexic, smokes a lot and lives in one of these studios in the top of Parisian buildings (called 'maid's rooms' die to their extreme coziness. She's got nerves, a dry sense of humor and doesn't strike as the girl who believes in a Charming Prince but she knows good person when she sees one. An office worker leaves some of his garbage outside the basket, she leaves a savage note on his office, a kindly neighbor, Philibert (Laurent Stocker) addresses her politely, she just invites him to a little improvised dinner in her room. Why? Maybe because unlike Franck, she can't force herself to believe that she can live without a good company every now and then. And unlike Franck, it's not sexual and somehow she felt that Philibert wouldn't think so either.

Philibert is a man with aristocratic background written all over his particle name, he has a stammer, wears a shapka and dresses like a dandy from the 50s, whatever made him the roommate of Franck might be the only "plot convenience" we could close our eyes on... Anyway, it all leads down to a night where Camille falls sick and Philibert takes her to her apartment, she needs a few day to recover and eventually meet Franck. Now. I still remember my initial feeling, I was so moved by the duo formed by Camille and Philibert that I felt like the film would lose its mindless charm if it had to surrender the something as formulaic as "boy meets girl - they hate each other - they fall in love" etc.

Well, it's a foregone conclusion that the two will fall in love but Berri's film doesn't care about clichés as much as it doesn't care about avoiding them . And no matter what, the film is less about two people who found love, than four people who found a certain state of grace once they opened their doors and therefore their hearts to each other... Philibert overcomes his handicap and pursue theater courses and finds love on stage... Paulette is hosted by her grandson and taken care of by Camille... and Camille and Franck, tease each other, resist the idea of falling in love to better throw themselves in. But again, love is less a plot device than a collateral healing.

We know that some facts of life will take their rights back but there's never a sense of major threat or some existential obstacle, it's just as if Berri knowing each film could be the last decided to free himself from that 'need of social relevance' like in his earlier movies ... We live in a world that is a constant temptation for isolation and cynicism and that the very director of "So Long, Stooge" with Coluche, could compose that hymn for togetherness can almost look utopian or naïve, but if such scenarios were that implausible, would the world really be worth to live?

Why couldn't an old woman die peacefully in the place she loved? Why would a man with a stutter not become an acclaimed comedian? Why wouldn't professional success be compatible with true love? In "The Old Man and the Sun", an old prejudiced man hid a little Jewish boy. He didn't know about his identity but it didn't matter, the kid became his best friend and the old man's soul was cleaned up. The stakes are lower in "Hunting and Gathering", no life-and-death situation, but the spirit is the same: maybe one of the key to happiness is to meet people who make us want to become better.

This is a nice and quiet movie. There's no explosions or beautiful clothes or perfect people. We don't even see the beauties Paris has to offer. The actors do their job so well that they seem to really belonging there. The characters act on the base of regular people. For example: Frank falls in love with Camille and when he realizes she isn't, he is angry. The law of the first guy the girl sees is the one she would get, doesn't apply here. Don't believe me but that law is well respected in Hollywood cinema.

That's what makes it so comforting, if one can say that about a movie. It's easy to relate to. It's the life of four regular people, trying to get the best out of life. It's the tale of a modern family, people who don't have a family either because they are alone or they don't get along with them, form a community.

A weird comment: I've read the book after I saw the movie, and for me this is new, I like the movie more than I like the book. I never felt so attach to the book as I did to the film.

I first saw this movie when I was in high school learning French. The actors did a pretty good job being sympathetic and stereotypical French characters (not bad). It had some flaws as every other movie but it came across as a homely movie which yu can rewatch and still enjoy. Audrey and Guillaume did not click at first as the right actors but they managed to turn it around at the end. It is a nice modern French movie to watch at home!

Camille, Franck, Philibert, and Paulette are all on diffirent courses to love yet their lives all come together as one before each finds their corect path. This delightful French movie gives us happiness, comedy, hope, and tradegy, whiich is life looking for love.

What I found pleasing in this story was there is nothing special about each character. They are just average work-a-day people that come together for a common interest then go their seperate ways.

If you like romance stories then this one is made for you.

The good:

• Excellent actor performance concerning 3 of the 4 main actors. Aurelie Tautou was just good but not excellent. - The people in the story are kind of sympathetic.

The bad:

Everything else. First, when I watch a movie, I don't want to think about how the movie is done. About, is the acting is good. I just want to enter into the movie. Live the experience with the people I see. Or if you want to make a movie in order to think to something, just do a dreaming-like movie à la David Lynch.

The realization of this movie is simply horrible. When you watch this movie, you think about the camera movement. Terrible as in bad TV french series with small budget.

Actors: Main actor are very good. But for almost each second role, the acting is just plain bad. In the first 10 minutes of the movies, I noticed at least two actors (second role) that were very _bad_. I believe I am a very nice public. Even mid-good actor can make the trick with me. But, this time it was like: we play like if we were in a theater not in real life nor movie. May be this impression is only in VO (French).

Concerning the story: I don't dislike slow movies in general. I love Japanese very long movies where nothing occurs for 1 minutes on the screen. But when this kind of thing occurs in slow movies, in general this is for a good reason. There is a "hidden" message or at least a stunning view. In this movie, there is nothing like that. The number of scene that could be trashed is simply enormous.

But this one was just completely boring. There is no plot. This is not a joke. There really is no surprise in the entire movie. No "action", no changing "event". The most vivid moment of the entire movie is when Camille (Aurelie Tautou) drop a radio by a window because she is angry. The rest of the story, is something you can see every day.

The message: "Socialize and you will live better". OK, I get it. I didn't need a complete movie with this only one message.

In conclusion:

If I was alone, I wouldn't have watched this movie until the end. Even if the character are attaching and the actors are excellent, this is just not enough to save this movie. There are so many realization errors that I was "pop out" of this movie too much.