DirkH’s review published on Letterboxd:
Part of Dastardly Difficult December: film nr.53
It is an astonishing accomplishment that this film isn't a big, sappy, melodramatic mess. What it is, though, is one of the most heartwarming and genuinely funny films I've ever seen.
The story can only be based on true events, because if it had been thought up it would have been a cliché. The writer's hand does show through some static in the plot, but it doesn't detract anything from what the film is really about, the unexpected friendship between two polar opposites.
As trite as stories about this basest human connection are, when they are told as well as they are here, they are irresistible. It has everything to do with the two central performances. Cluzet is a very good actor I enjoy watching. Here, his performance is a very physical one. How he manages to convey so much with only his face and all the while keeping his body completely still, is truly remarkable. It takes a great deal of dedication to pull this off, so he deserves a great deal of respect for that.
If Cluzet is fantastic, Omar Sy is nothing short of phenomenal. He gives such a broad performance here, displaying a range of emotions, but at the centre is an ever present warmth and energy, fuelled by a love for life. Every aspect of his character is infectious, from his no-nonsense attitude to his sense of humour. And then there's that laugh. It is irresistible and my new favourite sound. (he is also arguably the sexiest man alive, which is the only thing I hold against him as it leaves the rest of us at a disadvantage)
The subs on my copy were good, but I am glad my French is good enough to pick up most of the banter, as it is absolutely fantastic. The way they converse is so natural, only enhancing the believability of the budding relationship we're witnessing. Because nothing feels forced here and everything comes across as natural, it is so easy to let its warmth wash over you and forgive its predictable outline.
Filmmakers can learn a lot from this film as it proves again that just telling a story without continuously trying to manipulate your audience to 'feel' something is always the best way to go.
Bravo.