Film reviews: My Best Friend
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What's the story?
Self-obsessed antiques dealer Francois (Daniel Auteuil) is challenged by his business partner (Julie Gayet) to produce the best friend he claims he has after she accuses him of being a loner. At stake is a Greek antique vase that Francois feels strangely drawn to. But winning the bet proves harder than anticipated until he enlists the help of chatty, trivia-obsessed cab driver Bruno (Dany Boon) following a number of chance encounters between the two men.
What we say
Patrice Leconte's My Best Friend is the type of gentle French comedy that could easily be targeted for a Hollywood remake. It boasts an intriguing premise and several nice pleasant performances from an engaging cast – but it ultimately lacks the conviction to be anything other than a slight diversion.
Of the cast, Auteuil handles his Scrooge-like epiphany with quiet relish and creates a character that's just about worth rooting for in spite of his many failings (his early attempts at seeking out friends are particularly cringe-inducing). But Boon presents him with a useful foil, even though some of his anxieties and traits border on the annoying.
There are a few nice neat twists in both men's path towards happiness, and the sentiment is mostly kept in check until a somewhat contrived finale – set during the French version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
But the overall impression is that this is a patchy affair that might actually benefit from a Hollywood makeover - so long as the right hands are applied.
In French, with subtitles
Rating: 
Certificate: 15
Running time: 92mins
Photo: Icon
