Henri, the owner of the cafe 'Le pere tranquile' is facing a tough time. His wife, Arlette, has walked out on him. To make it worst, his family will be stopping by to pick him up to go to a nearby restaurant where, his sister-in-law Yoyo, is going to celebrate her birthday. It is closing time at the cafe, but Denis, the only employee, is cleaning up. Betty, Henri's sister, who evidently likes the barman, comes by to wait for the rest.
The three missing members of the family arrive. Philippe, the other brother, has been interviewed on television about his views on financial matters. He is an insecure individual who is the most successful of the three siblings. He comes accompanied by his domineering mother, and Yoyo his wife, the birthday girl. It becomes apparent that Philippe is the one the mother considered worthy of success, while Betty and Henri have not amounted to anything, in her mind.
The atmosphere of the cafe is charged. Dinner plans are abandoned when Henri's secret is known. While it does not come as a surprise, no one is really sorry for Henri. A small birthday cake is produced for Yoyo to cut and the singing of the 'happy birthday' is sung, but she is not too pleased with the celebration, or the ridiculous gifts Philippe and the mother-in-law have for her.
Cedric Klapisch, a director with a keen insight on people facing crises, directed the comedy which is based on a play by two of the stars of the film, Anne Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri. There was no attempt from Mr. Klapisch to hide the fact this is strictly a filmed play done in a one set, pretty much as it was the case in the theater when it was first seen. A family in turmoil is not exactly a groundbreaking plot for a movie, but to his credit, the director keeps things moving well, something that with another vision it would have resulted in a dull film. We saw the film when it first opened, but watching it for a second time, it puts things in perspective and found it more enjoyable.
It is clear the three brothers have gone in separate directions. The only one that has something to show in the way of achievements is Philippe, who shows he is such an insecure man, one wonders what made him rise in the corporate world. Henri was the son that stayed behind to run the family business. After fifteen years of marriage he finds now abandoned by his wife because of differences. Betty is a free spirit who wants nothing to do with success; she is only interested in the present, and that is what she is doing by getting involved with Denis. Yoyo, the wife celebrating her birthday is a woman totally dominated by Philippe. The mother shows no tenderness for anyone. All this is in sharp contrast with the loving family one gets to see in flashbacks.
The comedy is an ensemble piece where the cast gets to shine, but no one is singled out. Jean-Pierre Darroussin is Denis, the outsider who knows quite a lot about the family. Jean-Pierre Bacri plays the dejected Henri. Agnes Jaoui has some good moments as Betty. Catherine Frot continues to show why she is one of the best actresses working today. She does a terrific dance with M. Darroussin. Vladimir Yordanoff makes a hysterical and insecure Philippe. Claire Maurier is the mother. The director appears as the father in the flashback sequences.
The three missing members of the family arrive. Philippe, the other brother, has been interviewed on television about his views on financial matters. He is an insecure individual who is the most successful of the three siblings. He comes accompanied by his domineering mother, and Yoyo his wife, the birthday girl. It becomes apparent that Philippe is the one the mother considered worthy of success, while Betty and Henri have not amounted to anything, in her mind.
The atmosphere of the cafe is charged. Dinner plans are abandoned when Henri's secret is known. While it does not come as a surprise, no one is really sorry for Henri. A small birthday cake is produced for Yoyo to cut and the singing of the 'happy birthday' is sung, but she is not too pleased with the celebration, or the ridiculous gifts Philippe and the mother-in-law have for her.
Cedric Klapisch, a director with a keen insight on people facing crises, directed the comedy which is based on a play by two of the stars of the film, Anne Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri. There was no attempt from Mr. Klapisch to hide the fact this is strictly a filmed play done in a one set, pretty much as it was the case in the theater when it was first seen. A family in turmoil is not exactly a groundbreaking plot for a movie, but to his credit, the director keeps things moving well, something that with another vision it would have resulted in a dull film. We saw the film when it first opened, but watching it for a second time, it puts things in perspective and found it more enjoyable.
It is clear the three brothers have gone in separate directions. The only one that has something to show in the way of achievements is Philippe, who shows he is such an insecure man, one wonders what made him rise in the corporate world. Henri was the son that stayed behind to run the family business. After fifteen years of marriage he finds now abandoned by his wife because of differences. Betty is a free spirit who wants nothing to do with success; she is only interested in the present, and that is what she is doing by getting involved with Denis. Yoyo, the wife celebrating her birthday is a woman totally dominated by Philippe. The mother shows no tenderness for anyone. All this is in sharp contrast with the loving family one gets to see in flashbacks.
The comedy is an ensemble piece where the cast gets to shine, but no one is singled out. Jean-Pierre Darroussin is Denis, the outsider who knows quite a lot about the family. Jean-Pierre Bacri plays the dejected Henri. Agnes Jaoui has some good moments as Betty. Catherine Frot continues to show why she is one of the best actresses working today. She does a terrific dance with M. Darroussin. Vladimir Yordanoff makes a hysterical and insecure Philippe. Claire Maurier is the mother. The director appears as the father in the flashback sequences.