Movie Notes: Priceless

August 9th, 2009

= 4 stars

Starring Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh
Directed by Pierre Salvadori

Synopsis

Irene (Audrey Tautou) bounces from wealthy man to man, milking them for expensive gifts and dinners in the French Rivera when she meets Jean (Gad Elmaleh), a bartender who pretends to be a hotel patron.

The Good

• The comic set-up plays out quite well and could have fueled the entire flick, but Jean’s secret is eventually found out and the film continues on through a few additional, moderately amusing turns.
• Audrey Tautou - well, once you get beyond the pleasure of her incredible looks — demonstrates yet again that she can really act, displaying a wide range of emotions. It’s all summed up in one critical lesson in seduction where we the lesson seems to end. Tautou also plays a very different character than our dear Amelie — Irene is wholly materialistic, cynical, and brash.
• Glamorous and glitzy Monte Carlo looks like a fun place to visit.
• An amusing, cynical observation on the ironic emptiness of those with extreme wealth. ultimately there is a reassuring core that it’s better to be broke and in love than wealthy and alone. I’d agree with that sentiment.

The Bad

• Completely predictable — the ending is known from the start, the movie’s catch phrase is repeated too often, and the signs that the couple is “meant to be” piles on like champagne bubbles. As a result, the movie drags in the last third.

Conclusion

Despite the routine plot, the glitzy location and amusing set up easily earn three stars. The extra star is all Tautou — ten seconds just isn’t enough.

IMDB: Priceless
Wikipedia: Priceless
Rotten Tomatoes: Priceless 82%