Après vous... (2003)
Directed by Pierre Salvadori

Film Review

For his fifth film, Pierre Salvadori follows a familiar pattern of outlandish comedy etched with bittersweet drama, revolving around the romantic entanglements of two improbably paired male characters.  The formula is less successful than in Salvadori's previous works (Cible émouvante (1993), Les Apprentis (1995)), despite a strong cast and some brilliant comic situations. Daniel Auteuil is, as ever, both engaging and funny as the film's hero and all-round nice guy (so no danger of him ever being typecast), but it is José Garcia who gives most to the film, demonstrating once again his potential as a serious actor.  Whilst this quintessentially French film is largely enjoyable, there's a noticeable lack of inspiration in the writing and direction, particularly towards its end, and the characters are generally less well-drawn and credible than in previous, more full bodied, Salvadori offerings. Still, thanks to its likeable lead performances, it manages to be a fun little timewaster.

Film Synopsis

Antoine, the headwaiter of an exclusive Parisian restaurant, is taking a shortcut home across a park one evening when he sees a man, of about his own age, preparing to hang himself from a tree.  Without a moment's thought, Antoine saves the visibly distressed man, Louis, and takes him home, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Christine.  Louis confides that he made up his mind to end his life when he broke up with his sweetheart, Blanche, who works as a florist.  To help Louis get his life back on the rails, Antoine contrives to get him a job as a wine waiter in his restaurant and then makes a brave attempt to intervene in his love life.  With Blanche on the point of marrying another man, Antoine does his best to get her to patch things up with Louis.  Unfortunately, Antoine's well-meaning attempts at matchmaking only ends up making his own life very, very complicated...