Cinema - My Best Friend

We first meet antique dealer Francois (Daniel Auteuil) at the funeral of a competitor. He has gone, it seems, because the conditions there are favourable to making a deal on some furniture with the dead man’s mother. It’s apparent pretty soon that Francois, haughty and uncompromising, is more interested in the decorations on Louise XIV armoires than the niceties of his many acquaintances’ emotions. Despite this, much to the concern of his partner Catherine (Julie Gayet), their business is going down the pan. Cut to Francois’ birthday party. Naturally this is not filled with friends from his social life, because he has no friends. His associates chide him for this; shortly a plot-moving conceit is thrown into the mix. “Produce a best friend within ten days,” challenges Catherine, “or give me that 5th century Greek vase you value so highly.” Francois sets off on his hunt, hiring chatterbox taxi driver Bruno (Danny Broon) to help him in his quest.

Director Patrice Leconte (L’Homme du Train, The Hairdresser’s Daughter) is well known for his whimsical arthouse pieces: this is lighter fare which makes up for its many flaws with likeable acting (particularly from Broon), a jaunty klezmer-like score, and a philosophical undercurrent that leaves you thinking about the nature of your own friendships. You might be pondering on the enigma that is French humour for a while, too, mind. DL