Written and Directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano
Starring Pio Marmaï, Jonathan Cohen, Noémie Merlant, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, and Mathieu Amalric

After bringing us the global smash-hit and widely loved The Intouchables (Intouchables), period film C’est La Vie!, and the more recent The Extraordinary (Hors normes), French filmmaking duo Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano have solidified themselves as reliable household names in the industry and the comedy-drama genre. Though this time, they have hand-picked a plot that is arguably more difficult for a comedy to flourish and enmesh with the film’s themes.

Decades of French President’s publicly acknowledge the difficult times the nation is under to introduce the film and its swindling central characters. First, we have Albert (Pio Marmaï), who sleeps at Charles de Gaulle Airport where he also earns a living by selling items others were forced to dispose of before boarding their flights. Then, we have Bruno (Jonathan Cohen), whose desperate decision making in recent times has resulted in him losing everything that means everything to him. What both men have in common before they meet is their financial debt and the man they have turned to for help, Henri (Mathieu Amalric), a community worker still struggling to overcome a certain addiction. When Albert and Bruno randomly cross paths with Valentine (Noémie Merlant), a vivacious and fierce leader of a social activist group, an opportunity to freeload presents itself that they seize. However, their ignorance lands them in several awkward situations and their motivations are tested in ways they could not foresee.

There is a lot to like in A Difficult Year. On the flip side, there is also plenty to question. Questions in which most of the answers I’ve arrived at are not favourable towards the film.  

You see, Albert and Bruno are not the most instantly likeable guys. Thankfully, the comedic abilities of Pio Marmaï and Jonathan Cohen and their on-screen chemistry give viewers something to gravitate towards. It isn’t for some time until we learn of the circumstances that have led the duo to the dishonest lifestyle they now live, yet finding room for sympathies remains narrow at best. For me, less reliance on the actors’ skills and more on the characterisation given to them from the start would have made a difference. Their actions from when they meet Valentine are far from complimentary of them. Even the bait they latch onto that brings them together with the activist group, while acceptable, fits as well as a left shoe on the right foot. In fact, credibility is an area that tends to be challenged on numerous occasions in A Difficult Year, and none more so than its very outlandish end. When the character of Valentine is fully injected in this comedy-drama, an abundance of positive energy washes over the film and it has the capacity to provoke ponderous analysis of what the movie’s themes and purpose might be. There are more than mere moments it appears to be adopting us in the centre of the huddle surrounded by the activists and the causes they are fighting for. Ultimately, this film’s lack of commitment to all of the avenues it treads, including how it disappointingly develops Valentine, and its recurring ‘cringy’ scenes, tells me it simply wishes to be broadly enjoyed without overthought.

A Difficult Year is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from September 26th.

Moviedoc thanks Palace Films for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

Follow on Twitter – Moviedoc / LIKE on Facebook – @moviedoc13 / Follow on Instagram – moviedoc_melbourne / Follow on TikTok – @moviedoc4

©