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C'est La Vie

Country: France, Language: French, 115 mins

Original Title

Le Sens de la fête
  • Director: Olivier Nakache; Eric Toledano
  • Writer: Olivier Nakache; Eric Toledano
  • Producer: Nicolas Duval Adassovsky; Laurent Zeitoun; Yann Zenou

CGiii Comment

Thankfully, nothing is lost in the translation...this is due to some razor-sharp [universally funny] writing and a mighty fine central performance.

This is Jean-Pierre Bacri's film...he carries it from start to finish with his deadpan, sarcasm-soaked repartee. He is utterly hysterical as he floats in and out of a staggering amount of subplots. Managed with a slick precision by the directors...the film glides up to a comedic set-piece that will cause you to howl, tears of laughter will stream down your face...the audience [at this screening] were bent double, holding their sides, wailing with joy...it was a beautiful thing to witness. The power of film...to induce such joy.

All that can be said is: Messieurs Nakacke & Toledano...thank you.


Trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

Max is a battle-weary veteran of the wedding-planning racket. His latest — and last — gig is a hell of a fête, involving stuffy period costumes for the caterers, a vain, hyper- sensitive singer who thinks he's a Gallic James Brown, and a morose, micromanaging groom determined to make Max's night as miserable as possible. But what makes the affair too bitter to endure is that Max's colleague and ostensible girlfriend, Joisette, seems to have written him off, coolly going about her professional duties while openly flirting with a much younger server. It's going to be a very long night… especially once the groom's aerial serenade gets underway.

Cast & Characters

Jean-Pierre Bacri as Max;
Gilles Lellouche as James;
Jean-Paul Rouve as Guy;
Vincent Macaigne as Julien;
Alban Ivanov as Samy;
Eye Haidara as Adele;
Suzanne Clement as Josiane;
Helene Vincent;
Benjamin Lavernhe as Pierre;
Judith Chemla as Helena;
William Lebghil as Seb;
Kevin Azais as Patrice;
Antoine Chappey as Henri;
Basky Manmathan as Roshan;
Khereddine Ennasri as Nabil;
Gabriel Naccache as Bastien;
Nicky Marbot as Bernard