Heartbreaker (L'Arnacoeur)

2010

Heartbreaker (L'Arnacoeur)

Critics Consensus

While definitely on the fluffier side of French comedy, Heartbreaker benefits from never taking itself too seriously -- and from the performance of the ever-charming Romain Duris.

69%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 78

66%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 15,559
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Movie Info

HEARTBREAKER is an action-packed romantic comedy pairing two of France's biggest young stars: Romain Duris (THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED, PARIS) and actress/singer Vanessa Paradis (GIRL ON THE BRIDGE). A smash hit in France, the film was also featured at the Tribeca Film Festival. Charming, funny and effortlessly cool, Alex (Duris) is a professional heartbreaker who for a fee can turn any husband, fiance or boyfriend into an ex. Alex has one ironclad rule: He only breaks up couples where the woman is unhappy. His latest job will put that rule to the test. The target is Juliette, a beautiful heiress who is set to marry the man of her dreams. With ten days until the wedding, Alex has been hired by her father to carry out his most daring seduction yet that risks him being caught by his ruthless personal creditors, angry exes, and the beautiful and independent Juliette herself. But worst of all, will he discover to his own cost that when it comes to love, the perfect plan doesn't exist? This fall no one will be able to resist HEARTBREAKER. -- (C) IFC

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Cast

Romain Duris
as Alex
Vanessa Paradis
as Juliette
Helena Noguiera
Julie Ferrier
as Mélanie
Héléna Noguerra
as Sophie
Andrew Lincoln
as Jonathan
Jacques Frantz
as Van Der Becq
Amandine Dewasmes
as Florence
Jean-Yves Lafesse
as Dutour
Jean-Marie Paris
as Goran
Tarek Boudali
as Manager of Montecarlo Bay Hotel
Philippe Lacheau
as The Companion
Geoffrey Bateman
as Juliette's Father-in-Law
François Damiens
as Marc
Natasha Cashman
as Juliette's Mother-in-Law
Franck Massiah
as Franck
Hiromi Asai
as Japanese Businesswoman
Sophie Jezequel
as Office Employee
Audrey Lamy
as Policewoman
Dominque Gaffieri
as Auctioneer
Elodie Frenck
as Alex's Girlfriend
Julien Arruti
as Florence's Brother
Camille Figuereos
as Curling Player
Nina Melo
as Young Gospel Woman
Adina Cartianu
as Librarian
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News & Interviews for Heartbreaker (L'Arnacoeur)

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Critic Reviews for Heartbreaker (L'Arnacoeur)

All Critics (78) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (54) | Rotten (24)

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Audience Reviews for Heartbreaker (L'Arnacoeur)

  • May 20, 2013
    Nice French rom com. Story was unusual, and the two leads had chemistry. Better than some American ones I have watched recently!
    Nicki M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 13, 2013
    Pursued by creditors and helped by his married sister, a man is hired to break up a happy woman's wedding. Stuck between screwball comedy that allows Alex to emerge unscathed from a high-speed collision with a car and honest romance that features Alex and Juliette staring longingly into the sunset, Heartbreaker is a mixed bag that is charming and funny when it's good and insufferably sophomoric when it's bad. Its understanding of relationships seems drawn from Cosmo articles as the film expects us to be that a few faked tears will destroy a relationship, but the stars, Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis, are able to make badly written scenes plausible. Overall, I liked Heartbreaker in spite of itself.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Jan 08, 2013
    Charming. Yes, that is a good word to describe this one. Highly improbable situations and a highly predictable story, but this film still managed to enchant, and yes, to actually prompt laughter! Romain Duris as Alex, the professional relationship buster, and Vanessa Paradis as Juliette, his latest target, sparkle in this French romantic comedy. The supporting cast is nearly perfect as well. The dialog crackles, the villains are drawn largely (and physically large) and the action is practically non-stop. There is a lot going on, but the crux of the story is about the sparks between the two principals. A lovely, lively, ultimately entertaining film.
    Mark A Super Reviewer
  • Dec 07, 2011
    In "Heartbreaker," Alex(Romain Duris) is the front man for a business that he runs with his sister Melanie(Julie Ferrier) and brother-in-law Marc(Francois Damiens) that specializes in breaking up unhappy couples, even if they are not aware of it themselves. As successful as they are, Alex is deeply in debt due to his taste in expensive suits. And Berber villages do not build themselves. So against their better judgment, they take on the job of breaking up Juliette(Vanessa Paradis) and Jonathan(Andrew Lincoln), despite the fact that he is so perfect that they all want to date him. By contrast, she has a gap in her front teeth and loves George Michael and "Dirty Dancing."(Sorry, but I have not been able to get those two songs out of my head the last couple of days.) Regardless, Alex has a week to work his magic in Monaco before their wedding. "Heartbreaker" is a moderately appealing movie that works its familiar charms well. Romain Duris makes a good lead, as he is sexy enough to pass as god's gift to women, ironically playing a character who does not live up to the full potential of the characters he plays. Admittedly, the 'seduction by liberation' business is ethically dubious.(As Marc crudely puts it, they seek to open a women's eyes, not her legs.) Even though I am not thrilled about outside intervention except in the case of violence and abuse, I suppose it could work, assuming the woman has never been exposed to true happiness before. In any case, what is truly important are the crazy things we do for love.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
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