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Quelqu'un de bien
2002 Comedy
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Credits
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Director: Patrick Timsit
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Script: Jean-François Halin, Jean-Carol Larrivé, Patrick Timsit
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Photo: Vincenzo Marano
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Music: Nicolas Errèra
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Cast: José Garcia (Paul),
Patrick Timsit (Pierre),
Marianne Denicourt (Marie),
Elise Tielrooy (Elisabeth),
Natacha Lindinger (Virginie),
Gérard Rinaldi (Directeur thalasso 1),
Xavier De Guillebon (Professeur Choiseul),
Georges Staquet (Nénesse),
Albert Delpy (Le médecin de famille),
Jean-François Halin (Le prêtre),
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 100 min
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Aka: Slice of Life
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Summary
When Pierre discovers that he needs a liver transplant to save his life, his girlfriend
Marie suggests that his brother, Paul, may be a willing donor. Unfortunately, the
two brothers have not spoken to each other for several years, not since Paul walked off
with Pierre’s former fiancée. Eventually, the brothers reconcile their
differences and Paul agrees to donate a portion of his own liver to save Pierre.
By way of showing his appreciation, Pierre insists that he accompanies Paul on his next
business trip. Although this proves an ideal occasion for the two brothers to get
to know one another, Paul is already beginning to doubt whether he can go through with
the operation...
Review
Actor Patrick Timsit returns to the director’s seat for the second time with this
light-hearted nonsense comedy. In contrast to his previous directorial effort,
Quasimodo
d'El Paris (1999), a bizarre, one might say unhinged, adaptation of Victor Hugo’s
novel, Quelqu'un de bien is a comparatively down-to-earth
piece. For the most part, the film revolves around the relationship between two
estranged brothers who discover a mutual need for each other. The stuff of heartstring-tugging
drama you might think, but, as Timsit shows, the situation is also one that is ripe for
farce, Gallic style.
What the film (mercifully) lacks in trite sentimentality it more than makes up for
in exaggerated comic situations, although the film is generally well scripted and includes
some brilliant dialogue. However, it is very much a hit and miss affair.
Not all of the comedy works and some of it is surprisingly offensive. In addition
to the many drawn-out clichéd situations, there is an awful black comic scene near
the end of the film which is both shocking and runs contrary to the spirit of the film.
Also, the personality of José Garcia swamps the film entirely, often obscuring
the talents and even the presence of Patrick Timsit. To offset these faults, the
film does have some entertainment value. From time to time, there are a few genuinely
touching moments which show us how much better this film might have been if its comic
excesses had been toned down a notch or two. Still, Patrick Timsit does show great
promise as both an actor and a director. We await his third film with eager anticipation.
© James Travers 2004
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