Patrice Leconte's latest is a little light and a little telegraphed, but still quite enjoyable.
My Best Friend (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:85
Fresh:64
Rotten:21
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: Although the plot may sound contrived, the performances of Daniel Auteuil and Dany Boon manage to turn My Best Friend into an earnest and witty romp.
Theatrical Release:Jul 13, 2007 Limited
Box Office: $1,062,504
Synopsis: Francois is a middle-aged antique dealer. He has a stylish apartment and a fabulous life, but at a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintances, he is blindsided by the revelation... Francois is a middle-aged antique dealer. He has a stylish apartment and a fabulous life, but at a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintances, he is blindsided by the revelation that none of them actually likes him. He's arrogant, self-centered and harsh, and they don't believe he knows the meaning of friendship. His business partner Catherine makes him a bet: if he can produce his best friend, she will let him keep the massive Greek vase he acquired that afternoon on the company tab. If not, it's hers. Having accepted the wager, Francois naively tears through his address book, trying to shoehorn an increasingly unlikely series of contacts into the all-important role. Moving through Paris, he keeps encountering a trivia-spouting, big-hearted cabbie named Bruno. Bruno's chatty, lowbrow ways grate against Francois's designer temperament, but he covets the other man's easy way with people. He convinces Bruno to teach him how to make friends and sets about learning the "three S's" - being sociable, smiling and sincere - though they don't come easy. Ultimately, Francois victory will depend on Bruno's naivete in playing along, but what's the cost of cheating at friendship? Patrice Leconte, one of France's most renowned writer-directors, has often explored the theme of friendship in his award-winning films including MAN ON THE TRAIN, INTIMATE STRANGERS and THE HAIRDRESSER --© IFC Films [More]
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Julie Gayet, Dany Boon, Jacques Mathou
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Julie Gayet, Dany Boon, Jacques Mathou, Olivier Dazet
Director: Patrice Leconte
Director: Patrice Leconte
Screenwriter: Jerome Tonnerre
Producer: Olivier Delbosc, Marc Missonnier
Composer: Xavier Dermeliac
Studio: IFC Films
Get This Movie
Reviews for My Best Friend
So begins the dance for Patrice Leconte’s film that, in the tradition of Norman McLaren (cross-reference below) is more a celebration of movement and music than a parable for our over-communicative, friend-lite, acquaintance-rich society.
There's no great surprise in where this Odd Couple pairing is headed, but...it'sc quite enjoyable to tag along on the journey.
... could be seen as a meditation on friendship and the mysterious chemistry that binds two people in a nonromantic relationship, it's really just a well-rendered buddy movie
Although Leconte allows for a certain warmth to run through the film, he thankfully stays away from sentimentality. Therein lays the charm.
Although it's not a French parlor farce, My Best Friend appears headed that way at times. Then it has the courage to ride a bittersweet wave to something more meaningful.
[Director] Leconte and his perfectly suited stars have given us one of those light comedies that carry a world of lovely weight.
At the movie's climax, they [the actors] bring new life to liberte, egalite and, of course, fraternite.
Often, to compensate for their smaller budgets, French films will substitute emotional or intellectual density and character development for costly production elements. But this also leads to high-concept farces of door-slamming simplicity.
If you can hang on through the contrived ending..., the warm byplay between Auteuil and Boon is worth savoring.
As an alleged witty comedy of humanistic charm, it sags in both, thanks to unfunny predicaments and a phony plot.
Patrice Leconte has taken a story about male friendship, in all its posturing and potential vulnerability, and turned it into a light, smart, crowd-pleasing comedy.
It's a pleasant enough diversion, but it's not really about human beings and contains not one genuine laugh.
The always-dependable French director Patrice Leconte returns to the subject of friendship with another mordantly funny -- and unexpectedly touching -- odd-couple buddy comedy.
Watching it is like spending 90 minutes with a good friend: You'll revel in the pleasure of its company, and remember your time together with a smile.
Latest News for My Best Friend
September 10, 2008:
Wes Anderson Makes a New Best Friend ![]()
Universal and Imagine have lined up Wes Anderson to write (and possibly direct) a remake of the 2006 Patrice Leconte-directed French comedy "Mon meilleur ami." More...
October 14, 2007:
Another fascinating double character study courtesy of Patrice Leconte. ![]()
More...
July 12, 2007:
Critical Consensus: "Harry Potter" Is Certified Fresh; "Captivity" Fails To Capture Critics' Hearts
This week at the movies, we've got the latest in the "Harry Potter" series ("Order of the Phoenix," starring Daniel Radcliffe), and a tale of kidnapping and... More...
June 12, 2007:
Trailer & Poster review. ![]()
More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 77% 77% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 82% 82% | Paranormal Activity |
| 57% 57% | 9 |
| 44% 44% | Jennifer's Body |
| 58% 58% | A Perfect Getaway |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- My Best Friend at Rotten Tomatoes
- My Best Friend at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Moviefone lists their top ten nude scenes from film in 2009.

Thomas Leupp offers us Hollywood.com's take on the best films of the year.

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



