Pension complète (French Cuisine)
15/03/17 Filed in: Amazon Prime
Another whimsical French comedy with a somewhat improbable plot, but that doesn't really matter. François and Charlotte run a gourmet hotel and restaurant, but while François is fixated on attaining his first Michelin star, Charlotte is feeling neglected. Charlotte's sister Pascale appears to be an almost permanent fixture, as well as being somewhat of an embarrassment with her devil-may-care approach to life. Early in the film we have the low point of François forgetting Charlotte's birthday and then trying to make amends with a rapidly conjured cake and a rendition of happy birthday from the staff. Charlotte is not impressed.
Into this already strained relationship comes Alex, Charlotte's former husband who was thought to have died in a tsunami. This clearly brings with it a few problems. First, there is the fact that as Alex isn't dead, he remains Charlotte's husband, nullifying her marriage to François. Second, and arguably more of a problem, is that Alex still legally owns the hotel, even though it was rebuilt and its image completely transformed after Alex disappeared. Third, and perhaps the biggest problem of all, is that Charlotte appears to be gravitating towards Alex and away from François. However, François reluctantly agrees to give Alex a room, allowing him continuing access to Charlotte. Full board, you might say, which is the literal translation of the French title.
Charlotte would desperately like a child but she is told by their doctor that François' sperm is sterile, although she hasn't actually let François know. As she and Alex become more and more reacquainted, largely due it must be said to his efforts, we know that it will lead to trouble. And when Alex takes her for a spin on his motorbike, trouble does ensue, all witnessed by the sister, Pascale, who follows them to their seaside tryst. By this point François has had enough of Alex and takes him for a spin in his speedboat with the intention of flipping him over the side, but they in fact both end up in the drink and have to help each other survive by sharing a single life jacket as they make their way back to land. This episode leads to an unexpected bonding between them and for a while everything seems to have settled down. But then Alex disappears, following which the police come calling. It seems that Alex's tsunami story was a cover for other more nefarious activities. Alex isn't quite what he seems, something perhaps we have already gathered by this point.
We next find out that Charlotte is pregnant and that, of course, can mean only one thing. But Francois doesn't know about his lack of virility, so is very happy, while Charlotte cannot bear to tell him the truth. But when François meets their doctor in the village a passing comment changes everything. Does this spell the end of the dream? Well, this is a French comedy, so what do you think?
A very watchable film that will certainly not demand too much of you. Apologies, but the trailer doesn't have subtitles.
We next find out that Charlotte is pregnant and that, of course, can mean only one thing. But Francois doesn't know about his lack of virility, so is very happy, while Charlotte cannot bear to tell him the truth. But when François meets their doctor in the village a passing comment changes everything. Does this spell the end of the dream? Well, this is a French comedy, so what do you think?
A very watchable film that will certainly not demand too much of you. Apologies, but the trailer doesn't have subtitles.