Love, Etc.

Given that January is generally a dumping ground for films neither good enough for the Oscars nor populist enough for the warmer seasons, it's a refreshing surprise to see a movie as well shot, written, and acted as this self-described "romantic comedy" from France (the movie is considerably more wrenching than funny). When insecure and lonely stockbroker Benoit (Yvan Attal) applies to a dating agency, he submits a photo of his womanizing best friend Pierre (Charles Berling of Ridicule) instead of himself, on the grounds that he hasn't been photogenic since he was 11. Lo and behold, he's matched up with the woman of his dreams, the beautiful Marie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), who falls for him as well. It's when the two of them start hanging out with Pierre that problems arise: Pierre too becomes smitten with Marie, and given his track record, he may have a decent shot at winning her away from his longtime buddy. Since this is isn't a Hollywood movie, chances are the resolution will be messy, and probably not even the specific mess you might imagine. Director Marion Vernoux and her co-screenwriter Dodine Herry have been at least a little influenced by American sensibilities, however: in true Kevin Smith style, the wise-cracking Pierre is full of pop-cultural references including the Spider-Man theme song, and yes, the film contains that most modern of romantic comedy cliches, the karaoke scene, but here it's played with more heart and panache than any recent analagous film has been able to achieve. For anyone who has ever been betrayed by love, or wanted someone they couldn't have, Love, Etc. is a dead-on analysis, and a must-see.