Un cuento francés

Jean-Pierre Bacri and his real-life wife, Agnès Jaoui starred in this film, co-wrote it and Jaoui directed it! This is a huge accomplishment--it's just too bad I didn't particularly enjoy the film. This is because it's supposed to be a romance but there isn't that much in it that truly is romantic. In fact, most all the folks in the film have had repeated marriages and failed relationships--and the film seems to say this is the new normal. To me, this is rather sad---and is the antithesis of romance--especially as some folks in the film have SERIOUS intimacy issues. This does not mean I hated the film--just many of the characters. One of the only ones I really did enjoy watching was Bacri's. Initially, he was a nasty, selfish jerk and seeing him slowly evolve into a human being as well as why this occurred was very satisfying. But for the rest--they just seemed like a lot of seriously screwed up people who I never would like to meet or get to know better. NOT a film to see with someone you love nor did I see it as a comedy--though IMDb lists it as one.

"Au bout du conte" is another enchanting, funny, intelligent, gem among those written, acted, and in case of Jaoui, also directed, by the fantastic duo Agnes Jaoui/Jean-Pierre Bacri who also prove once again to be some of the best comedy dialogue writers in the world. Using the modern fairytale canon, and filling the storyline with references to classic fairy tales elements, the movie travels through the illusions, fears, hopes we can't live without, from waiting for a Prince charming to big and little forms of superstitions. All the cast is very good, but especially the scenes with Jaoui & Bacri together (those driving lessons are really unique) are extremely entertaining, touching and nuanced.