My Best Friend (www.the-usher.com)

François (Auteuil) has made himself a comfortable living as an antique dealer in Paris but when he sends 200,000 euros on an ancient Greek vase that symbolises friendship, his colleagues tell him that he shouldn't have wasted his money because he doesn't have any friends. Telling them that he has and making a bet that he can produce a best friend within ten days, François makes a list of all the people he thinks are his friends only to discover that none of them really like him. With only days left, François asked for assistant from Bruno (Boon), a friendly taxi driver who helps him but he really doesn't have a clue what to do.

Renowned around the world, French cinema produces some of the highest quality dramas but can it bring us a feel good movie about friendship?

Friendship is a strange thing. You can go through live having many loves and acquaintances but you make very few real life long friends. A best friend is even rarer however. While you may call many of your friends you have in your childhood best friends, when you become an adult you have very few people you can be completely open with and trusting. The thought of someone who is going to be there for you and help you through any situation can be comforting but not everyone has this. This is true for François, the protagonist of 'My Best Friend' and he doesn't have a clue as to remedy the situation.

Classic French actor Daniel Auteuil, probably best known for his performance in 'Hidden' plays a much lighter role as François Coste, the Parisian art dealer who has thrown everything into his work, at the expense of his social life. When his business partners tell him that no friends would come to his funeral and that he doesn't have any real friends, he decides to take drastic action and make a best that he can produce a best friend within ten days but he soon discovers that his colleagues are right. When he meets Bruno, played by the excellent Dany Boon, he sees a man who finds it extremely easy to talk to and get along with people so he employs Bruno to teach him how to make friends.

Of course this leads to a valuable life lesson been learnt but the French approach to this subject is much better than anything Hollywood would offer. While never really as funny as it could have been, the movie goes more for the touching aspects of the plot line than the comedic elements and it works. The Hollywood version would have had too mismatched people coming to blows but having fun at the same time, the French approach is more light hearted, making you connect with the characters more and emphasising with their dilemma.

'My Best Friend' is a simple movie that works because of its simplicity. With excellent performances from the two leads, this is a feel good movie that will have you smiling throughout. While it may not be the most original of movies, there is much to enjoy here.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

The Making of My Best Friend (25.14 mins)
Director Patrice Leconte and stars Daniel Auteuil, Dany Boon, Julie Gayet and Élisabeth Bourgine take you behind the scenes of 'My Best Friend'. With footage from the recording of the auction, resturant, church, park and the apartment scenes, the director and his stars talk passionately about the film, their characters and the approach to the movie. This is a good behind the scenes featurette that offers an insight into the film's production.

UK and French Trailer
Watch the promotional trailers for the movie.

OVERALL

With only a featurette, the DVD treatment for 'My Best Friend' is a little disappointing. While the featurette is very good, a commentary track with subtitles could have included. Fans of the movie will be a little disappointed.

DVD

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2007