Le Coût de la vie
2003 Comedy
Credits
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Summary
Money makes the world go around – at least that seems to be the case in the French town
of Lyons. Laurence, a young heiress, sets out to prove that she does not need money
to be happy, and appears to discover true love. She ends up working in a restaurant
owned by Conway, whose generosity with money is driving him towards bankruptcy.
In contrast, businessman Brett is as tight as they come, always ready to return defective
products to shops and always the first to leave the table when the bill arrives.
Yet he regrets his solitary life after having ditched a girlfriend because the dress she
wanted him to buy was too costly. For Nicolas de Blamond, money offers a ticket
to a long-dreamed of retirement in some distant haven. When he learns he has a heart
condition, he decides to close down his factories and start a new life. All he wants
is someone to accompany him...
Review
In stark contrast to Philippe Le Guay’s previous film, the social realist drama
Trois huit (2001), Le
Coût de la vie is a full-bodied adult comedy which satirises modern society’s
complex relationship with money. The film weaves together its several strands very
effectively, allowing some humorous contrasts to be made between the characters.
Whilst some of the ideas and situations feel under-developed, the film has great entertainment
value, and Philippe Le Guay gets the best out of his excellent cast. Fabrice Luchini
is particularly memorable in his hilarious, yet also quite poignant, portrayal of a latter-day
Scrooge.
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