My Best Friend | 
 enlarge | Director: Patrice Leconte
Actors: Daniel Auteuil, Dany Boon, Julie Gayet, Julie Durand, Henri Garcin
Studio: Ifc
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.58
You Save: $8.37 (34%)
New (35) Used (6) from $16.58
Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 9308
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 95
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: GEPD80539D
UPC: 796019805391
EAN: 0796019805391
ASIN: B000UAE7MM
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: October 16, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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Product Description
Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 10/16/2007 Run time: 94 minutes Rating: Pg13
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 A "must have" for every best friend!!! November 6, 2008
For everyone who desires to be or have a best friend, this film is a "must have"!! It focuses on the two things that often stand in the way of a best friendship -- greed and materialism! Important life lessons to be learned from this film for anyone needing a friend or wanting to be one. Comedian Dany Boon is absolutely HYSTERICAL! The ending was GREAT ! Patrice Leconte was HOT!!!
Life-Affirming, Light-Hearted Comedy Drama from the Director of "Ridicule" October 18, 2008
Daniel Auteuil and Danny Boon shine in this light-weight comedy by Patrice Leconte, respected French director whose works are often associated with such films with more serious themes as "Ridicule" and "The Widow of Saint-Pierre." But Leconte is no stranger to comedy as seen in his earlier films made in 70s and his "Mon Meilleur Ami" ("My Best Friend") shows if he became more mature and thoughtful as director, he hasn't lost the sense of humor since then.
Daniel Auteuil is François, a self-centered antiques dealer who is told by his business partner Catherine (Julie Gayet) something he didn't really want to know; that is, he has no friends. No one would miss him if he was gone. Unexpectedly challenged by his most trusted partner Catherine (and other "friends" of his) at his own birthday party, François declares that he actually has a best friend and can introduce him to them in ten days.
Of course, François will find one eventually, but not in the way he imagined. While he gets acquainted with Bruno, a chatty and amiable taxi driver dreaming of becoming a quizmaster, and enlists the good-natured taxi driver's help, François realizes what most viewers know from the very beginning of the story after several unsuccessful (and hilarious) attempts to make friends.
The film's set-up part seems a bit contrived (how many of us would bet a precious Greek antique on proving our "friendship"?) and some of the supporting characters including François's daughter are underdeveloped, but the fine performances from the two leads make up for them, with some nice set-pieces about the mishaps of our deluded hero, and the satisfying conclusion involving one quiz show.
Like "The Man on the Train" and earlier "Tandem," this is basically a story about two men caught up in a strange situation. "My Best Friend" is much more light-hearted than the two films above, and might disappoint people who had expected something more serious, but still the film is fun and it is hard not to be impressed with the skills of the actors and director who tactfully turned this potentially depressing theme of loneliness into a life-affirming comedy drama. Relax and enjoy it.
 utterly innocuous comedy September 18, 2008
**1/2
Francois Coste (Daniel Auteuil) is a Parisian antiques dealer who becomes obsessed with finding a best friend after a casual acquaintance off-handedly remarks that Francois has no single person in his life who fulfills that role. This sets Francois off on a mission to prove the acquaintance wrong, finally alighting on a gregarious taxicab driver named Bruno (Dany Boon) to instruct him on the ins and outs of how to make a lifelong buddy.
One of the drawbacks of "My Best Friend" is that we are required to take so much of it on faith, since Francois really doesn't seem to be all that unfriendly and unaffable a guy when you get right down to it. We keep being told that he is cold, self-centered and heartless but, at least as portrayed by Auteuil, Francois doesn't seem to embody much in the way of those qualities - and without that crucial dimension, the movie itself fails to engage us in its premise.
"My Best Friend" is a harmless enough little piffle, I suppose, but it's afflicted with that cutesy, self-congratulatory smugness that is the bane of so many French comedies. Frankly, five minutes after the movie's over, we've all but forgotten we ever saw it.
Near flawless film from France July 13, 2008
My, these comments are verbose - so I will keep mine short!!
This movie is like a bottle of Beaujolais: light, sweet, goes with every occasion!
With the exception of the long-suffering girlfriend's role, this film illustrates very universally appreciated concepts on the notion of "friendship." Namely: how do you know when you actually have got one?
This movie offers a very clear and consice answer to that question. And the response is so humorously laid out in one of the last scenes of the movie, I was literally crying from laughing so hard in the theatre.
You can easily put this film in the "romantic comedy" section since friendship serves as the basis for so many great loves. This film merely singles out friendship from everything else and, then, asks us to consider not only "who are your friends?", but also, "what is most important in your life?".
Good... June 23, 2008
French film with English subtitles. Set in Paris in current times. François Coste, played by Daniel Auteuil, is a successful antique dealer. At his birthday dinner with business associates, he mentions that a famous art collector had a mere 7 attendees at his funeral. The subject turns to Francois - and the group states that Francois would be lucky to have anyone show up at his funeral - he's appalled by these remarks. They proceed to tell him that no one really likes him outside of business dealing. He's shocked by this harsh feedback. His business partner proceeds to bet him that in 10 days he cannot turn up a "best friend."
Francois turns from his obsession with his business to deep introspection and a search for a best friend. His parents are both dead. He is divorced. He does not have a relationship with his daughter. He does not have an intimate relationship with anyone except his material "things." He comes across a "character" driving a taxi cab who helps him with his social and friend making skills and the story moves along to a point where the cab driver becomes Francois' only friend.
Daniel Auteuil plays the role Francois magnificently. A man of few words. Not all that comfortable with people or in crowds - a loner most comfortable on his own - but struggles with his inability to connect with others. You begin to get close to Francois and sympathize with his burden as the movie moves along - you can feel his discomfort and his anxiety. Breezy, brooding film is just over 1.5 hours long. If you loved Daniel Auteuil in "Un Coeur en Hiver (A Heart in Winter), you'll like this film.
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