Foreign Language Movie Friday: "Après Vous"

Because we are somewhat boring people, Matt and I have recently instituted a little ritual here in our home. It's called Foreign Language Movie Friday, and it's exactly like it sounds: every Friday night (or most every Friday night), after we've gotten our groceries (which is obviously what twenty-somethings do on a Friday night), we'll pick up a foreign language film at the local Family Video--which, for those who don't know, is the most glorious relic of the video rental age. We don't have these stores back in Nebraska, but they're all over Springfield. The movies there are usually a buck each, and there's usually a half-off coupon offered at the check-out counter. So we get all the awesomeness of cinema for 50 cents. I love Family Video.

Because we enjoy (most) of the foreign movies we watch, I thought I'd save you all the trouble and review them for you so that you can enjoy your very own Foreign Language Film Friday.

First up:

Après Vous (2003)

Language: French with English subtitles

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Our Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I love this movie. I first encountered it at a Blockbuster (you'll have to explain what this is to the young ones in your home) back in high school. I had elected to take my French course as independent study, and I was afraid that being out of the classroom would hinder my spoken French on account of not hearing it spoken every day. So, naturally, I started looking for French movies.

If you're looking for a light-hearted romantic comedy to pass the time with, "Après Vous" is for you. It stars Daniel Auteuil (who's sort of like the French George Clooney...except much less attractive), who plays Antoine, a successful headwaiter at a classy restaurant. On the way home one night from his shift, Antoine encounters and saves Louis, a heartbroken and somewhat neurotic man who was in the process of committing suicide (just go with it). Louis is inconsolable after his breakup with Blanche, a florist, and good guy Antoine wants to help out.

After Antoine himself falls in love with Blanche, it's a hilarious plot full of awkward situations, poorly constructed lies, and the ridiculous things we do for friendship.

Daniel Auteuil (left) and Jose Garcia as Antoine and Louis in "Après Vous."

The only reason I didn't give this movie 5 out of 5 stars is because it does drag on just a little at the end. The movie is 110 minutes, and I found myself wanting everything to wrap up so I could be on my merry francophone way. But it's also a movie I find myself watching over and over again. And Matt likes it too, which is proof that it's a great foreign movie because he doesn't speak French and still enjoyed it.

You can read more about "Après Vous" on its IMDB page, here.

Got a suggestion for what we should watch on our next Foreign Language Movie Friday? Let me know in the comments!

Cheers!
-Betsey