'My Best Friend' charming, uplifting
By Rachel Hanes, Staff Writer
October 3, 2007 | 12:37 a.m.
In a world full of chaos, anger and tragedy, it is rare to find a film as charming as “My Best Friend," a quaint French film about turning superficiality into sociability.
My Best Friend, with the French title “Mon Meilleur Ami,” follows the story of François Coste (Daniel Auteuil), a shallow antiques dealer living in Paris. After attending the funeral of an associate, he meets his colleagues for dinner. When François begins to pity the associate for having only seven attendees at his funeral, his colleagues ask a tough question: Who would attend his funeral? The general consensus is that nobody would.
The group harshly continues to bring François to the terrible understanding that he has no friends and is all alone, even when surrounded by a group such as themselves. François vehemently denies this, claiming he has many friends. Then his co-worker Catherine (Julie Gayet) makes a wager with him: If François can prove that he has a best friend within 10 days, he can reap the satisfaction of proving them wrong. If he can’t bring around a best friend within that amount of time, he must forfeit to her a fifth century B.C. Grecian vase that he purchased at an auction at 200,000 euros. Thus begins Francois’ journey to find a best friend.
The story continues as François looks up colleagues and old acquaintances, trying his hardest to make their rigid relationships into ones of flourishing friendship. It is clear that they all despise François for being selfish and shallow do not wish to become any kind of friend with him. Desperate and frustrated, François enlists the help of Bruno (Dany Boon), a sociable and lovable taxi driver, to help him learn to make friends. François soon begins to understand that Bruno is the only real friend he has ever had.
The quickly forged friendship is tested, however, when François seemingly reverts back to his old ways. Despite this setback, the change in him is obvious when he realizes his wrongdoings and reaches out to mend the tear. This is when François must prove himself, for the companionship of his new best friend depends on it.
Daniel Auteuil is fantastic as François and is talented enough to play such a sad, miserable character in a lovable, hilarious way. One can’t help but laugh when François pitifully approaches two men he doesn’t know in a coffee shop and asks them how to be friends with people. It truly is pathetic that someone would have to ask others how to be friendly. Nevertheless, Dany Boon has, by far, the most enchanting performance in the film. His character, Bruno, is so loving and affable that one can only hope to have a friend such as him.
“My Best Friend” is one of those films that can hardly be found playing at a theater anymore. It is not a blockbuster and does not flaunt a Hollywood name to bring in an audience. These facts alone imply that it is bound to be a delightful film with actors who bring sheer talent rather than a name. The film tackles such human obstacles as heartbreak, loneliness and the tension that exists in a broken home. Even so, it is a heartwarming story — one that restores your faith in humanity. Honestly, there just aren’t enough films like this one.
The characters and the message of “My Best Friend” are universal: there are lonely people in this world, and if everyone took a bit of time to be “sociable, smiling and sincere,” there is no doubt those lonely people would much happier.
---Speakeasy Rating: A-
Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong language
Genre: Comedy, Art/Foreign