Writer & Director
Nicolas Bedos
(MR & MRS ADELMAN)

Starring
Daniel Auteuil, Fanny Ardent, Guillaume Canet and Doria Tillier

At some point in our lives, most of us wonder what it would be like to have lived in a bygone era. Especially if you’re a movie aficionado like I am. Or perhaps you’re someone who did live in such a time and just like the central character of this French comedy, is not so happy at present time in the contemporary world. Shortly after meeting sixty-something Victor Drumond (played by Daniel Auteuil), we witness his world crashing down upon him. By failing to adapt to the capabilities of modern technology, Victor loses his job as a cartoonist, which then triggers Marianne (Fanny Ardent), his long-term and long-time unhappy wife, to turf him out.

Not sounding much like a comedy so far, is it? Well then, allow me to give you a clearer picture of what La Belle Époque is exactly. But before I do, I must point out that Victor discovers La Belle Époque, courtesy of an offer made by Antoine (Guillaume Canet), right when he needed it! Let’s label La Belle Époque a bar. You guessed it though, it’s worlds away from being any ordinary bar. By imaginatively conceiving a different variation of time-travel to this genre of film, La Belle Époque transports our protagonist to a place and time of his choosing. Unexpected complications and developments are assured!

Hopefully, my detailing of the synopsis will work to the advantage of both this utter delight of a film and to you. LA BELLE ÉPOQUE is a fairly original comedy that certainly deserves to be seen. But during the opening act before it finds its best form, LA BELLE ÉPOQUE is completely bonkers. Likeable, wacky, but bonkers. Even by French comedy standards 😉 It took me considerable time to fully grasp the game being played here and where each of the numerous characters fit into the puzzle. So the sooner you can get on top of these pieces, the sooner you ought to acquire sheer fulfilment from the film. As such, it wasn’t until somewhere into the second half of LA BELLE ÉPOQUE where my appreciation level for the film grew exponentially. Though the central plot and its characters are the obvious winner here, make sure you also devote some attention to several minor contributors throughout. There are plenty of random, yet zany and brainy inclusions that also give this comedy much of its quieter hilarity.

Maybe I’m going too far to label LA BELLE ÉPOQUE a hidden gem of 2020, but it’s not far from being one at all and will almost certainly undergo an American remake sometime in the near future.

A strong 3 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Mature themes, violence, sex, drug use, coarse language and brief nudity)

Trailer
LA BELLE ÉPOQUE

Moviedoc thanks the Alliance Française French Film Festival, Rialto Distribution, Palace Cinemas and Annette Smith for the invite to the screening of this film.

LA BELLE ÉPOQUE is screening in cinemas throughout Australia as part of the 2020 Alliance Française French Film Festival from the 10th of March. Click the link for further details in your city or region.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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