L'innocent

I read critics lauding this film using superlatives like 'amazing', 'hysterically funny' and 'a delight'. With great hopes we handed over our money and went in. I enjoy French comedies but they have proven to be hit and miss over the years. This one is a big MISS. It's also a mess. The acting was fine, as was the plot, so what was it? I can only put it down to the script, direction and editing, which is pretty much most of how a film is made. Apart from not being even mildly humorous it was just so disjointed. Some scenes made little sense. I do give it points for the scene in the diner. That was quite well made and hinted at a completely other film the director might be more proficient at.

... and then I discovered he was the Director as well! It probably explains why he got the job, but not really why he'd want to come across so badly in this. He was so awful that I nearly gave up about 20 minutes in, but stayed around for Noemie Merlant - who really makes this film - and Roschdy Zem, who I'd not seen before but does a very nice turn as the errant (but convincingly loving) husband.

As a variant on the "heist caper" it's quite nicely done, with some humorous moments, but because I didn't empathise at all with Garrel's character it was hard to see the ending as "happy" - as I'm sure was intended.

If you can cope with Garrel, I'm sure it's fine.

I like Louis Garrel - he has something about him that I usually find engaging to watch on screen. Here, though, the story is all just a little too far-fetched! He ("Abel") takes his mother "Sylvie" (Anouk Grinberg) to prison where she runs an acting class and where she has hooked up with "Michel" (Roschdy Zem). Now "Abel" is a bit sceptical about his mother marrying an ex-con and soon he and his best mate "Clémence" (Noémie Merlant) and carrying out some fairly clumsy surveillance on the man. "Michel" is no fool though and before we know it, the spying pair are mixed up a plan to pinch a great supply of caviar from a van in a petrol station car park! What ensues here does raise the odd smile and is generally an adequate little drama - but it still tends a little too much to weak slapstick inso far as it's a comedy. It's also a love story and a family drama that is better than soap, but only just - it's like we are watching an incomplete episode in the lives of people that we don't really know - nor get to know, either. Merlant is a breath of fresh air and she gels well with her increasingly hapless pal "Abel" as we head to a denouement with a few twists to keep us guessing. I did quite enjoy it, but it's totally forgettable fayre, sorry.

A lighthearted effort that manages to work as a comedy, romance, and heist film, which isn't easy to do. There are absurd moments but the plot is cohesive, flows well, and has no wasted action. What won me over were scenes like the acting lessons given by ex-convicts, which was funny, and the distraction ploy that suddenly got very real, which was unexpected and emotional. Anouk Grinberg is a delight and has a fine scene during a confrontation at the hospital too. And my goodness, there's Noemie Merlant again being amazing. Isn't she one to keep an eye on? Entertaining stuff from Louis Garrel.

An excellent crime comedy with elements of drama, which keeps the viewer's attention throughout the movie. It is interesting to watch how the relationships of different characters develop and what it all leads to.

This movie is quite funny and at the same time serious. It skillfully mixes these parts and it turns out pretty seamlessly. I also liked the romantic and criminal parts. It all comes together into one plot as well. What's interesting is that all these genres appear in the right places.

With good music in context and some pretty good acting, I have faith in this movie. It's really not bad at all.