{image1}That a film which practically opens with an attempted suicide can be described as light-hearted comedy movie fare might seem a mystery, but it's exactly right for "Apres Vous," a 2003 French film directed by Pierre Salvadori that just now arrives in the Midwest.
Antoine (Daniel Auteuil) is the head waiter at Chez Jean, a popular Paris eatery and after an especially hectic day, he's extremely late getting home to his girlfriend, Christine (Marilyne Canto). In attempt to get home quicker, Antoine cuts through the park where he stumbles upon Louis (Jose Garcia), preparing to hang himself from a tree.
Antoine steps in to save Louis and takes him home, telling Christine he's a cousin arrived in Paris to find work. But she quickly catches on and Antoine soon becomes engaged in an ongoing battle to help Louis get back on his feet.
He tries to bring him back to his small town home, get him a job, cheer him up and give him confidence. At the same time, he attempts to find the lost love, Blanche (Sandrine Kiberlain), who has caused Louis' deep depression.
All of this becomes a full-time job for Antoine and it takes a toll on his work and especially on his relationship with Christine.
The problem is that Louis seems like he might be beyond help. Can this insecure, depressed, bumbler actually get and keep a job? Even if Antoine finds Blanche is there any chance Louis can convince her to take him back?
And in attempting to play cupid for Louis, can he actually be messing everything up instead??
Unsurprisingly predictable -- we won't spoil anything, but you won't have a hard time guessing where things are going -- "Apres Vous" is also touching. The lengths Antoine is willing to go to help a complete stranger is inspirational.
It is also very, very funny and you can expect the theater to ring with laughter more than a few times during the film's 110 minutes. There are witty lines, funny situations and fine acting by the wide-ranging, expressive and talented Auteuil, but also by Kiberlain and Garcia and by lesser characters like Chez Jean owner Martine (Michele Moretti) and waitress Karine (Garance Clavel).
Sweet, smart and funny, "Apres Vous" will bring you nearly two hours of joy.
"Apres Vous" opens Friday, July 15 at Landmark's Oriental Theatre.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
