Charmant garçon (2001)
Directed by Patrick Chesnais

Film Review

Highly regarded as an actor, Patrick Chesnais made his directorial debut with this rather sombre romantic comedy, in which he takes the lead role.  The film offers an unusual - perhaps idealised - view of romantic love, by presenting us with two characters who have nothing in common and who could not possibly end up together.  Chesnais succeeds a little too well in demonstrating the couple's mutual incompatibility, because when they do finally get it together, the film fails to be convincing.   The film's two stars Patrick Chesnais and Alexandra Vandernoot can hardly be faulted and give great value.  The script - again largely the work of Chesnais - is well-written, with some hilarious one-liners.  The only real problem with this film is that the relationship between two principal characters is just too implausible to be taken seriously, and consequently the film feels a tad unsatisfactory.

Film Synopsis

Octave is a 50-year-old divorcee who hangs about town with his drinking buddies Hector and Achille.  Well into middle-age, it is fair to say that all three men are negotiating a mid-life crisis.  Octave has had to go back to living with his mother and is more crude and impulsive than ever.  Hector is still trying to come to terms with a painful relationship breakdown.  One day, Octave's life is suddenly turned inside-out when he meets Esther, an attractive 30-something artist with whom he has absolutely nothing in common.  Esther is almost the exact opposite of Octave, and yet he finds himself irresistibly drawn to her.  They don't exactly get off on the right foot.  He carelessly drives his car into the back of hers.  She already has a boyfriend that she is happy with - why should she want to mess around with a geriatric?  Octave is not one to admit defeat, however.   He perseveres and eventually Esther begins to be won over by his unique charm...