Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I know nothing about this, but maybe our man Quint got a peek, too. Let’s see what this reviewer thought:
I arrived at the Metro in downtown Santa Barbara, coffee in hand, just in time to catch the tail-end of a near-capacity line for the French film "Après vous..." I was completely unfamiliar with the film beyond the synopsis that I had read on the SBIFF's website, but judging by the crowd, there was a lot of positive buzz.
The film immediately hooks from the beginning, with its montage of the opening credits accompanied by animated penguins pantomiming waiters and shots focusing on the act of waiting on tables. Special attention is paid to the delicious-looking dishes of the Paris bistro that serves as one of the story's central locations, while a light-hearted theme plays, setting the mood for the rest of the film's nearly two-hour running time. It's because of this opening that when the actual story begins with the neurotic and depressed Louis (José Garcia) trying to commit suicide and Antoine (Daniel Auteuil) trying to save him, audiences are more likely to grin, chuckle, or laugh, rather than be genuinely concerned. From this auspicious beginning, Auteuil's sense of irony in his facial expressions and execution of dialogue is the strongest ingredient of the film. His Antoine is the archetypal nice guy, excellent in his work, devoted in his relationships, but lacking the ability to say no, which is what lands him in that whole mess involving the attempted suicide in the first place. Even as he is stringed along by the events and actions of others, it's still easy to root for him exactly because he is the nice guy, though we may want him to grow a backbone.
However, there is only one time throughout the entire movie in which he genuinely confronts his frustration, and even then he apologizes for the outburst a few minutes later. The one character who enjoys the only real character development is Louis, who, with a lot of help from others, begins to become proactive, and sometimes violently so, to humorous effect (a crowbar and a brand new car are involved). The central love interest, Blanche (the beautiful Sandrine Kiberlain), is self-described as "anyone's after three drinks" but "not loose," but her weakness constantly shows itself despite the story's every attempt to show her that going back to her sleazy boyfriend is not working for her.
"Après vous..." is an extremely enjoyable comedy of errors, with predictable plot turns accompanying witty dialogue and above-average acting, though the strong characterization is juxtaposed with weak character development. If it's any indication, I gave it a 4 (out of 5) on the ballot while the ending credits rolled. Like fresh sea bass, tender and not too dry, lacking the appropriate glass of wine to accompany it.
will
Thanks, will. Enjoy the fest!
"Moriarty" out.
