I'll be honest and say that up until now, I have never watched a foreign film in my life. I didn't like the idea of having to read the subtitles at the bottom of the screen as well as watching the on-screen action, so therefore I didn't bother. This film caught my attention in a preview on ... Read review
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Brilliant cast and storyline Disadvantages: None, unless you dislike foreign films.
I'll be honest and say that up until now, I have never watched a foreign film in my life. I didn't like the idea of having to read the subtitles at the bottom of the screen as well as watching the on-screen action, so therefore I didn't bother. This film caught my attention in a preview on another DVD I had watched, so I decided to take a chance and rent it from the library. If I didn't like it, I hadn't lost anything but as it turned out, the film ... .../>
Jean is being run ragged at his job as a bartender at a very posh hotel in Southern France. But his luck is about to change when he bumps into stunning guest Iréne. She's usually on the arm of a rich older man who buys her anything she wants, and after mistaking Jean for a fellow guest, she falls for him. But a year later upon her return, she discovers Jean is merely the bartender and is furious. Trouble is, Jean has fallen for her in a big way ... more
I'll be honest and say that up until now, I have never watched a foreign film in my life. I didn't like the idea of having to read the subtitles at the bottom of the screen as well as watching the on-screen action, so therefore I didn't bother. This film caught my attention in a preview on another DVD I had watched, so I decided to take a chance and rent it from the library. If I didn't like it, I hadn't lost anything but as it turned out, the film really did live up to its name!
Jean is being run ragged at his job as a bartender at a very posh hotel in Southern France. But his luck is about to change when he bumps into stunning guest Iréne. She's usually on the arm of a rich older man who buys her anything she wants, and after mistaking Jean for a fellow guest, she falls for him. But a year later upon her return, she discovers Jean is merely the bartender and is furious. Trouble is, Jean has fallen for her in a big way and is determined to get into Iréne's high-up circles. So when Madeleine, a rich older woman, shows an interest in Jean, he decides she is the perfect gateway to live the life he wants with Iréne. But Iréne only wants what she can get - money, not romance, but Jean isn't about the materialistic things, only finding love. Can these two see past their differences and find out what's really important?
When I first read the plotline, I thought it sounded interesting and not like anything I had seen before. I was really intrigued as to how easy it would be to follow considering it was a French language film with English subtitles but I was so pleasantly surprised by this lovely little gem of a film. My other concern was that I had only heard of the film's leading lady, Audrey Tautou, and none of the other cast members, but this quickly proved to be no issue whatsoever because they were just brilliant. It's authentic settings, fantastic soundtrack and even better cast all put together to create a superb movie for everyone who loves a real romance to enjoy.
I have to start this by saying how fantastic I think Audrey Tautou was in this film. I haven't seen her in much before so didn't have many expectations. However, she absolutely sizzled on screen and played the sex-siren with ease and a superb screen presence. She pulls off the gorgeous designer outfits far too easily for my liking lol, she looks amazing and pulls her part off brilliantly. At first sight, you expect her character to be quite shallow, but Tautou manages to make Iréne more than that, showing a vunerability at times and a slight regret for her "career". The film does show the seedy side of her chosen lifestyle, how much she relies on these men for everything and how it can go wrong when they dump her, and would perhaps serve as a warning to any young women who want this sort of lifestyle. I went from rather disliking her at the beginning to sympathising and wanting her to make the right decision by her heart at the end, and not her bank account!
However, what really makes this stand out is her chemistry with co-star Gad Elmaleh. Granted, he isn't the best looking man in the world, but he more than makes up for that with his immense talent. He pulls off the bumbling Jean perfectly, contrasting with Tautou's slick and sublime Iréne. You can see the attraction simmering between the pair, but they leave this smouldering between them leaving the audience wondering, and they do this so well! The change of circumstances for the characters allow the actors to step outside their usual boundaries for a few minutes, and we see a far more adept Tautou and comical Elmaleh and this was really refreshing. Tautou really opened up as the film went on, and I liked her more and more despite her seedy job, and Elmaleh acts with his heart and soul, pulling off a range of emotion with apparent ease, relaxing more towards the end and really letting go, he was brilliant.
As these two are the main actors, they really dominate most of the action. Marie-Christine Adam is good as Jean's older woman Madeleine, and Vernon Dobtchess and Jacques Spiesser are good as Iréne's sugar daddies. Much of it is filmed on the Southern French coast, full of money, sunshine and beautiful people, and of course the wonderful hotels where the pair carry out their deceptions. The gorgeous locations merely add to the luxurious feel of this film, and allow the actors to shine in their roles. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack of this film. It had a real authentic French feel to it with its classical pieces which perfectly complemented the action on-screen, and updating to modern music for the party scenes, which sat so well in such a classic feeling movie. It creates such a rich and brilliant atmosphere, and it just makes watching the film even more enjoyable.
I really can't emphasise how much I adored this movie. I didn't expect too much from it, mainly because I wasn't keen on the idea of it being French language but that really did add so much to it in my opinion. The gorgeous settings create an air of sumptuousness about it, and Tautou's gorgeous outfits, romance in the air and captivating storyline all work together to create a thoroughly enjoyable love story. Okay, its not the usual love story taking its time to get to where its viewers will want it to be, but the funny twists and turns along the way keep you watching and guessing. Despite its perhaps outer-shallowness, there are deeper meanings throughout the film which adds another element to it, and to me its make it far more of a beautiful story as things which seem like throwaway actions become far more than that as it goes on. I'd highly recommend this if you love a really good funny love story, and of course foreign films! Just brilliant, thanks to both a brilliant story and its delightfully charming cast.
Director: Pierre Salvadori Writers: Pierre Salvadori and Benoit Graffin. Certificate: 12 Running Time: 104 minutes.
Main Cast: Audrey Tautou ... Irène Gad Elmaleh ... Jean Marie-Christine Adam ... Madeleine Vernon Dobtcheff ... Jacques Jacques Spiesser ... Gilles
Advantages: Extremely entertaining Disadvantages: None at all
Priceless - original French title Hors De Prix is a film loosely based on the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, it is directed by Tunisian born Frenchman Pierre Salvadori and stars Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh in the main roles. This film is film is a little masterpiece, fast flowing despite just about every scene contradicting itself through Irene's (Tautou) personality. The film is in French with English subtitles. I normally stay away from romantic ... ...rubbish usually, the Americans do tend to make them fairly humorous but quite predictable, the French on the other hand are pretty decent at them, so I made this film an exception. The jist of it is that Irene is a socialite who sleeps with rich, usually older men and lives a life of luxury in 5 star hotels and restaurants, she is showered with gifts and is used to spending hundreds of euros a day on clothes. When her drunk sugar daddy falls asleep ...
dangaroo 18.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Priceless (DVD)
Advantages: cute romantic comedy european style Disadvantages: none
This is a cute french romantic comedy starring Audrey Tatou of Amelie fame. Her character is a ruthless gold digger who meets a waiter / bartender - except she doesn't realise that he has no money till it is too late and she has bled him dry of what little money he had. when she finally realises his status she quickly disappears. But he doesn't and becomes a gigilo himself. The comedy ensues in a very european way, beautifully written and filmed.
... ...and easy one to watch and you don't even notice the subtitles. Definitely up there with all the big hollywood rom coms and the clothes are fab too - a little chanel and lanvin to spice up the views.
This is a great comedy with beautiful clothes, scenery and very french! very enjoyable ...
iallan 23.07.2009 (26.07.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Priceless (DVD)
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JUST MARRIED
Language: English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround
Subtitles: Spanish, English, French
A brilliant comedy with genuine laugh out loud scenes. Ashton and Brittany were marvellous as the hard working, carefree boy and the spoiled little rich girl. The movie goes on to show that marriage is not all about champagne and flowers (as Murphy expected). I really enjoyed watching this one! My favorite scenes are:
-The cockroach on Ashton?s neck as they start to make love
The mother-in-law who gaily instructs Ashton to call her ?Pussy?
- Wedding Night when Brittany tearfully announces that her parents will know that Tom ?deflowered? her (The look on Ashton?s face is priceless!)
DVD EXTRAS:
Commentary by Director Shawn Levy and Actors Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy ...
Robindesbois11 04.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Just Married (DVD)
Advantages: Another Toho movie on dvd Disadvantages: No bonus features
Hama
Akira Takarada
U.S. Screenplay by William J. Keenan
US Producer Arthur Rankin Jr
Production Toho Co LTD.
Soundtrack The Late AKIRA IFUKUBE
Features
English Mono
Subtitles none
Color
Run time 1hr 32 mins
Contains mild violence.
Overall this is a pricelessDVD to add to your collection provided that you are into any of the following .........................
sci-fi
comedy
Dai Kaiju (Japanese for big monster)
Akira Ifukube
Godzilla
Toho studios
King Kong
Robots
I myself love this movie for a few reasons.....................
I am a big Akira Ifukube music fan
I am a big fan of the TOHO GODZILLA movies
I am also a big Dai Kaiju fan as well
I had all the 8 inch Bandai Dai Kaiju Godzilla
vinyl figures from 1992 - 1995
Sadly my house was broken into back in 1995 and
everything was stolen & can't be ...
Advantages: Brimming with interest, enthusiasm and laughs Disadvantages: Too short by far
with Phil Lynott's mother as she visits his grave, and later we get to see Billy at his most humble as he chats quite happily with a completely inebriated homeless man about Shelley, Shakespeare and 'do you have any fags?'. There is a stomach churning visit to the top of the shipyard cranes in the hauntingly empty Harland and Wolff site in Belfast. I could go on, but why spoil it for anyone who is yet to catch this series.
It's no great shakes as a DVD, quite clumsy to navigate and extras are welcome but not of any great quality. The picture is as good as it can be for a shot for television production, the sound is presented in stereo only, and the packaging is as Billy would no doubt say "F**king awful!" but as a series it is priceless, and I hope there is not a too long a wait for us to get his earlier series on DVD. ...
Contains strong language and moderate sex references
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
France
Plot
Jean is a hardworking employee at one of southern France's elite resort hotels. He is known for his excellent work ethic, but that changes after a chance encounter with sexy hotel guest Irene. Bored with her wealthy and much older boyfriend/benefactor, Irene is looking for some excitement. She finds it with Jean, whom she believes to be another guest at the hotel. When she discovers that he is merely an employee there, she is furious, and wants nothing more to do with him. Jean tries to rekindle their affair, but Irene lets him know that she is only interested in men with money--lots and lots of money. Jean is broke and broken-hearted, until he crosses paths with another hotel guest--this one an older woman of considerable means. He soon finds himself living the high life alongside Irene and her own rich patron. But Jean is far more interested in romance than in riches, and the glitzy fun and games quickly come to a head.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Languages
Main Language
French
Subtitle Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Making of, Deleted scenes, Behind-the-scenes, Trailer
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
Funny, sexy, romantic and glamorous... just perfect (Grazia, 13/06/2008)
Sweet and smart, this is one charmer worth being seduced by (Marie Claire, 13/06/2008)
DVD Description
Directed by Pierre Salvadori, this delightful French comedy features AMELIE star Audrey Tautou and the charming Gad Elmaleh (THE VALET). Jean (Elmaleh) is a hardworking employee at one of southern France's elite resort hotels. He is known for his excellent work ethic, but that changes after a chance encounter with sexy hotel guest Irene (Tautou). Bored with her wealthy and much older boyfriend/benefactor, Irene is looking for some excitement. She finds it with Jean, whom she believes to be another guest at the hotel. When she discovers that he is merely an employee there, she is furious, and wants nothing more to do with him. Jean tries to rekindle their affair, but Irene lets him know that she is only interested in men with money--lots and lots of money. Jean is broke and broken-hearted, until he crosses paths with another hotel guest--this one an older woman of considerable means. He soon finds himself living the high life alongside Irene and her own rich patron. But Jean is far more interested in romance than in riches, and the glitzy fun and games quickly come to a head.
The film makes the most of its dazzling location, luxuriating in the wealth and beauty of the French Riviera. The story obviously owes a firm tip of the hat to BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY's, and indeed Tautou's effortless grace and style do bring to mind Ms. Hepburn. In the hands of less skilled actors, the plot could have felt a bit flimsy, but Tautou and Elmaleh are so engaging, one can't help but root for them and their romantic hi-jinks.