Une Famille à Louer
25/01/17 Filed in: Amazon Prime
My latest French language film is a good bit lighter than the last (Éperdument). This time we have an entirely improbable scenario but, in the time-honoured fashion of French films, the characterisations make it appear believable while providing a good deal of amusement.
Paul-André is a businessman who in making lots of money from software development burnt himself out. He now lives in a palatial if somewhat boring mansion with his butler, appearing to be constantly morose although denying that is the case. Violette is a single mum with two children and has just been released from remand after assaulting a supermarket security guard, who caught her stealing a chicken to feed her family. She is broke and under threat of losing her children to care. Interviewed on TV she makes a heartfelt appeal about the importance of the family and not wanting to lose her children.
Paul-André catches this interview and has the brilliant idea of helping Violette, by paying her debts and renting her family. As I've said, the plot is improbable. His reason is that he wants to experience having a family before committing to have his own. Having dispensed with the assurance that he is not looking for a relationship with Violette, a contract is drawn up for a three-month trial. Violette insists, however, that he lives with them. So we see Paul-André leaving his mansion to move into a house that has the appearance of a shanty.
Paul-André is a businessman who in making lots of money from software development burnt himself out. He now lives in a palatial if somewhat boring mansion with his butler, appearing to be constantly morose although denying that is the case. Violette is a single mum with two children and has just been released from remand after assaulting a supermarket security guard, who caught her stealing a chicken to feed her family. She is broke and under threat of losing her children to care. Interviewed on TV she makes a heartfelt appeal about the importance of the family and not wanting to lose her children.
Paul-André catches this interview and has the brilliant idea of helping Violette, by paying her debts and renting her family. As I've said, the plot is improbable. His reason is that he wants to experience having a family before committing to have his own. Having dispensed with the assurance that he is not looking for a relationship with Violette, a contract is drawn up for a three-month trial. Violette insists, however, that he lives with them. So we see Paul-André leaving his mansion to move into a house that has the appearance of a shanty.
The children are not let in on the commercial arrangements and are told that he is the new boyfriend. Auguste, her young mixed-race son is happy to accept what he's told but the daughter, Lucie, older and as blonde as Auguste is dark, is not so easily persuaded. What follows is a typical semi-farce as the clash of cultures come together. When the family goes to visit Paul-André's mother her bourgeois background is visibly offended by Violette's, let us say, rather down to earth disposition. It doesn't go well, not helped by the fact that Lucie discovers that the whole thing is a commercial arrangement.
But, of course, things don't end there. The maxim that opposites attract was never truer than in this gentle story. Well worth watching and if you're learning French the dialogue is for the most part quite accessible. Unfortunately I couldn't find a sub-titled trailer.
But, of course, things don't end there. The maxim that opposites attract was never truer than in this gentle story. Well worth watching and if you're learning French the dialogue is for the most part quite accessible. Unfortunately I couldn't find a sub-titled trailer.