It has been a pretty poor early summer for movies. I have struggled to find anything to my taste, even missing four successive weeks which must be a record. "She's Out Of My League" is harmless enough, although the depiction of the hero's family was pretty degrading. In fact, apart from the scenes where Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve are together, the whole thing verges on embarrassment. Even the appearance of Trevor Eve and Sharon Maughan as Alice's parents (as they are also in real life) is fairly nauseous, and they have previously done no wrong.
An even more lightweight movie was "Letters to Juliet". When the best thing about the film is the fantastic Tuscan scenery, you will know what I mean. Although Vanessa Redgrave does her best, the promising concept is let down by a below average script. Amanda Seyfried is fine but the men are truly awful actors. Enough said.
It took a French movie to remind me why I go in search of a good story. "L'arnacour" ("Heartbreaker") was the best film I have seen since the Swedish "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" back in March. No wonder it is rated 92% on Rotten tomatoes. Everything was perfect. The cracking cinematography, editing, lighting and sound combine to make the first ten minutes the best start to a movie for years. And this high standard is maintained throughout. But what sees the movie through is the story and the script. Sharp and funny, the dialogue is brilliant. The direction from Pascal Chaumeil outstanding. The costumes are gorgeous and the Monaco scenery is beautiful. The soundtrack is right up my street. The acting is superb. Not only are the leads terrific, Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis (Mrs Johnny Depp), but the supporting roles are even better. Everyone calls it a romantic comedy. It is surely more than that. OK, you do have to suspend belief in reality, but who cares when all the parts blend together. Sublime.
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