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Apres Vous [2005]
from Paramount Home Entertainment
starring Daniel Auteuil, Jose Garcia, Sandrine Kiberlain, Garence Clavel, Michele Moretti
directed by Pierre Salvadori

Features:

• PAL

Editorial Review:

Paris, the city of light and love, plays host to this romantic comedy of unexpected complexity and a pervading humanity, which examines the damage that too much kindness can sometimes cause. Pierre Salvadori directs an outstanding cast, with two-time Cesar winner Daniel Auteuil (THE CLOSET, GIRL ON THE BRIDGE) as Antoine, a maitre d' at an upscale brasserie where he quietly runs the show. His altruism doesn't end at work, however, and on his way through the park to meet his girlfriend, Antoine encounters a man about to take his own life. Poised at the end of a rope and perched on a suitcase, Louis (Jose Garcia, TROUBLE EVERYDAY, JET SET) is suicidal over the loss of his girlfriend Blanche (Sandrine Kiberlain). Antoine steps in and saves the man's life, and both will live to regret it, as Antoine is unexpectedly guilty for preventing this tortured man's demise. Antoine is determined to make his charge happy again, but finding him a place to live, a job, and friendship is not enough to put the life back into Louis, so Antoine seeks out the one woman who could end Louis's heartache. Things get complicated as an attraction grows between Blanche and Antoine, and Louis comes to see Antoine as his rival. APRES VOUS contains some uproarious slapstick moments, such as a distressed Louis's disastrous run-in with a waiter mid-flambe, and a dissolute Antoine, drunk on the job and punctuating his sentences with a live lobster he's holding. But it's the universal themes of love and friendship that make the film resonate, with Auteuil's hangdog likability and Garcia's wide-eyed, perpetually lost look generating a chemistry that drives both the humor and the emotion of the action. Kiberlain rounds out the cast, possessed of an ethereal beauty and playing Blanche with understated, wry sensibility.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

• watch the first half only!
  This comedy is a game of two halves - the first hour is belly-achingly funny (watch out for the grandmother's coat!) with great performances, particularly by Auteil. Around midway through the film it settles into pretty ordinary rom-com territory, and the belly laughs (and general interest , in my case) end. The basic premise (Antoine falls in love that his friend nearly committed suicide over) isn't overly clever, but few rom com plots are. what I found hard to believe was that both those in their own way... more info

• Auteuil in a Wonderful Performance
  I admit to being a Daniel Auteuil fan. Few other performers can convincingly project such naive innocence as can Auteuil. That's what enhances the humor of this comedic Parisian love tale.
  Convincingly playing a harried maitre d' at a fancy restaurant, Auteuil creates Antoine who is totally dedicated to his position. Throughout the film, Antoine never has enough time for anything because just as he is about to conquor one problem -- on his frantic job or out of breath life -- another one pops up to... more info

• Not nearly as funny as it could be but hard to dislike
  Daniel Auteuil plays the friend in need in Apres Vous as a maitre `d who tries to get would-be suicide José Garcia back on his feet only to fall for the girl the poor sap tried to kill himself over, Sandrine Kiberlaine, and start to ruin his own life in the process. Despite the strong cast and glossy production values, the material never quite justifies all the expense. It's fairly gentle stuff with few really big laughs but hard to dislike even though it doesn't make the most of the opportunities... more info

• A pleasant gentle comedy
  This is an easy going gentle comedy from France. The plot is simple but sets up some nice jokes and the film has a satisying finish that is typically french.
  Don't expect a gag a minute, this is not that sort of film. It has serious moments, sad moments and funny moments. There are not any outstandingly hilarious moments but the film overall is very affable and a pleasant way to pass the evening.
  A funnier alternative is the film Le Placard (aka the closet) - also starring M Auteuil it is a... more info

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