Le Cactus (2005)
Directed by Gérard Bitton, Michel Munz

Film Synopsis

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing - especially when you are a chronic hypochondriac like Sami.  He is the kind of person who manages to contract every illness known to man just by hearing about it.  Patrick is the person who suffers most as a result of this unfortunate affliction.  Because Sami once saved his life, long ago when they were both children, he feels bound to lend a friend's help and encouragement whenever Sami suffers the slightest upset or misfortune.  Virtually unemployable and socially objectionable, Sami has come to depend on Patrick for everything - financial as well as moral support.

Sami's latest idiotic fixation is that he has a potentially life-threatening neurological disorder.  Unable to get this idea out of his head, he goes to his local hospital for a brain scan and awaits the worst.  So impatient is Sami to hear the results of the scan that he eavesdrops on a conversation between his doctors.  Unbeknown to him, these two are presently casting judgement on a potted plant - a cactus - that is definitely on the way out.  Thinking that the doctors are referring to him, Sami leaves the hospital convinced that he has just three months left to live.

Conventional medicine will be of no use to Sami now.  His only hope is Ayurveda, an alternative form of treatment that has been practiced in Asia for thousands of years.  Without delay, Sami sets about preparing his trip to India, where he hopes to find a practitioner of this ancient system of healing.  Patrick knows he cannot desert his friend in his hour of greatest need, so he agrees to accompany him on what might well be (God willing) their last excursion together.  He has no idea what he is getting himself into.  Sami's talent for immersing himself and his friend in the deepest trouble seems to have no bound...