Film Reviews

My Best Friend

• Rating:
• Director: Patric Leconte
• Starring: Daniel Auteuil
• Details: France / 94mins (12A).

"Some can't play sports - I can't make friends". Abrasive art collector Francois Coste (Auteuil) is challenged by his business partner Catherine (Gayet), who refuses to believe that Francois has a best friend, to present one before the month is out. Francois doesn't even have an acquaintance, let alone a best friend, but because the bet is a Grecian vase valued at €200K, Francois refuses to give her the satisfaction and asks his outgoing cabbie Bruno (Boon) to give him tips on how to be more friendly. My Best Friend is, in a nutshell, Hitch minus the posing. Without breaking any new ground, it's an enjoyable romp that makes you laugh when it wants to. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to want to most of the time, content to coast along on a wave of 'slightly amusing' rather than 'achingly funny', as most of the gags come from Auteuil's attempts to engage strangers in conversation, which doesn't have a lot of legs. The two leads - Auteuil and Boon - are watchable: but Boon can be annoyingly wet at times while Auteuil never snaps, playing it straight all the way through. It's a predictable enough affair, but it's fun. Look out for a Hollywood remake coming to a cinema near you soon.

Review by Gavin Burke