APRES VOUS (France / 2003)

The fact that Aprs Vous ("After You"), a slight yet sweet-natured French rom-com, has done quite well at the U.S. box-office -- about $1m, the benchmark for most foreign films -- shouldnt be surprising because European releases featuring pleasant, sitcom-ish characters/situations tend to "click" with the audiences here, and Im sure everywhere else too, for that matter. Ideally, of course, one would prefer more challenging fare to succeed, but on the other hand, it would also be a bit futile to damn a film for its fame, especially one like this which is aware of its limitations, and thus doesnt attempt to insult anyones intelligence. In Aprs Vous, French star Daniel Auteuil plays Antoine, a selfless maitre d' at an upscale Parisian brasserie. One night after work, while scampering to meet his girlfriend (Marilyne Canto) for dinner, he ends up saving a man from committing suicide in a local park. Antoines monotonous life takes a dramatic turn with this act. First, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Antoine more or less ends up adopting Louis (Jos Garcia), the physical and emotional wreck he saved. And then after discovering Louis love (Sandrine Kiberlain), the cause of his problems, he ends up falling for her himself. Director Pierre Salvadori approaches this trivial premise as realistically as possible, a mistake because the film couldve benefited from some inspired silliness. Thats not to say that it doesnt have its share of droll moments. It certainly does, but with heavily reliance on narrative contrivances. What makes Aprs Vous agreeable, however, is the work of its cast. The ubiquitous Auteuil (about 20 films in the last 5 years -- perhaps following Depardieus footsteps) is in form after duds like Petites Coupures (2003) and Rencontre avec le dragon (2003). Garcia and Kiberlain are also quite effective.

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*The film is available on DVD in the U.S.