Not Here to be Loved (Je Ne Suis Pas La Pour Etre Aim) (2005) 

Directed by Stphane Briz

Starring Patrick Chesnais (Les Enfants du Sicle (1999), Anne Consigny (Lquipier 2004)

A romantic comedy that thrives on what it lacks, comedy and romance, apart from these it also lacks much in the way of resolution and redemption. It is well played, slow paced, contemplative, unpretentious, familiar yet different and the easiest comparison would be with the Japanese film Shall We Dansu (not to be confused with the dire Hollywood remake). 

Jean-Claude works as a bailiff, one of those jobs that everybody hates, he carries on the family business from his father and has just employed his own son. Life for Jean-Claude is a trudge, dreary and empty, he despises his work, has no female company, makes the effort to visit his belligerent father every week and appears to be unable to communicate with his own son.

Most of his working days seem to be spent trudging up and down flights of stairs but after having breathing difficulties, his doctor advises him to take more exercise. Having often watched the tango lessons taking place opposite his office he decides to join, its here that he meets and gradually falls for Franoise, a younger woman who primarily remembers him as the son of her childminder. This chance meeting causes both to reassess their lives and relationships as they find themselves drawn closer to each other.

The film plays out in a very low key manner and for a French movie of this type is quite minimalist, though certainly not in comparison to the films of Aki Kaurismki or Tsai Ming-liang. Theres nothing truly memorable or outstanding about Not Here to be Loved but I found it far more enjoyable than another recent French rom-com, Orchestra Seats.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15 (for occasional profanities)

R2 dvd will be released by Artificial Eye.