From left: Angéle (Virginie Efira) easily gets the klutzy Michel’s (Clovis Cornillac) heart. Catch ‘the Perfect Date’ at Shangri-La Plaza during the French Film fest from June 3 to 13.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

For a long time, people believed that horror flicks were the perfect date movie. After several researches have shown that laughter tends to be an aphrodisiac, comedies and romantic comedies in particular have become the safest date movie genre. Why not impress them even more by showing your sophistication and choosing a French title?

‘L’Amour C’est Amieux’ or ‘The Perfect Date’(English title) is one of many films showing at the Shangri-La Cineplex from June 3 to 13 for the 15^th French film fest. You also don’t have to shell out extra bucks because it’s free.

The film attracted a million audiences on the opening day alone in France. The humor and romance, in ‘The Perfect Date’ definitely translates well to all audiences. Robin Padilla who attended the premiere said that this was his type of film, “There are no computer generated effects and emphasizes actors’ performances. Filipinos will love watching it.”

H.E. Amb. Thierry Borjade Mozota of France, Robin Padilla and Martin Makalintal French Audio Visual Attaché at the premiere of ‘the Perfect Date’ at Shangri-La Plaza during the French Film fest runs from June 3 to 13. Photo by Jude Bautista

The central character Michel Nathan (Clovis Cornillac) is an architect looking for a romantic, perfect date. The problem comes in when he tries to emulate what he believes to be the perfect date or romance. After his grandparent’s golden wedding anniversary he decides that every true and real love comes out of a chance encounter where neither partner intended to meet. That’s the way his grandparents and his parents met. He’s determined to have his own romantic chance encounter.

Most of the comedy does come from Clovis Cornillac who resembles director Quentin Tarantino but acts more like Benny Hill or Mr. Bean. Cornillac is a renowned French actor who has done it all from action to comedy. In this film he is able to portray a klutzy, romantically inept but successful architect. His best friend Vincent (Manu Payet) is a divorce lawyer who changes girlfriends every few months or so. Vincent also preys on his clients who are recently divorced.

Clovis Cornillac

Quentin Tarantino

After hearing his friend’s sob story for the nth time, Vincent decides to set up a chance encounter for Michel without him knowing it. Angéle (Virginie Efira) is a sweet faced blonde bombshell that easily takes Michel’s heart. She has a bob cut with crystal blue eyes and a voluptuous body. She is also angelic in every sense of the word, caring for her sister Heléne (Sophie Vouzelaud) who’s in a wheel chair. The ensuing relationship with Michel is a source of laughter and comedy.

The French also fall into the tendency in sending the wrong text message. They’re a lot less text savvy or addicted than us Filipinos. Michel mistakenly replaces a letter in a word and turns socks into sex in his text to Angéle. They also poke fun at hairy arm pits that some European women have. Angéle teases her best friend Claudine (Laurence Arné) for not shaving. In the next scene Claudine raises her arms in the air showing off her bare armpits to seduce a guy.

Paris is a spectacular backdrop for any love story and is not a cliché. It’s refreshing to see actual Parisians enjoying their city that Hollywood has used so much for their own rom coms. The street lights and bridges that have been there for a century or more and even the river also become characters of the film. Dominique Farrugia, the film’s co-director has a long list of credits as actor, writer, director and producer. Known more for his comedies, he has worked as program director for tv network Canal+ and organized several other cable channels like Cuisine and Comedie. Farrugia is currently in Cebu til June 15 shooting a film produced by Louis Paul Heusaff, a French businessman based in Phil.