Heartbreaker
2010 ‘L'arnacoeur’ Directed by Pascal Chaumeil
Synopsis
He's broken every heart except his own... until now.
Charming, funny and effortlessly cool, Alex (Romain Duris) is a professional Don Juan who makes a living breaking up couples with his sister Mélanie (Julie Ferrier of MICMACS). Because business is slow, they go against their principles to break up only unhappy couples and agree to work for M. Van Der Bercq. Alex has only one week to stop the wealthy man’s daughter Juliette (Vanessa Paradis) from marrying the man she is madly in love with. Alex is soon thrown into his own hilarious seduction “mission impossible” that risks him being caught by his ruthless personal creditors, angry exes and the beautiful and independent Juliette herself. But worst of all, will he discover to his own cost that when it comes to love, the perfect plan doesn’t exist?
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Heartbreaker is a breezy, intoxicating romantic comedy that's so fun - and so funny - you can forgive it for skimping a bit on the characterisation. Romain Duris is a professional charmer called in to split up unsuitable couples in a variety of guises - and using a multitude of tricks - though always ending with the same tried-and-tested spiel. Deep in debt, he takes on a humdinger of a case, pitching up in Monaco to coax Vanessa Paradis away from British philanthropist Andrew Lincoln just days before their wedding. The film does sometimes struggle to explain why Paradis should choose the deceitful (albeit smitten) Duris over the blameless Lincoln, but if you're willing to go with it, it's hugely…
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Heartbreaker is a light, frothy but energetic French romantic comedy that whilst better than its American counterparts still isn’t able to leave much of an impression. Romain Duris stars as a professional heartbreaker - a man sent in to break up unhappy relationships - but he gets more than he bargained for when he begins to fall for his latest assignment. Whilst it is a high concept movie it disappointingly still hits all the familiar genre beats.
What saves the film is the breezy direction, the attractive location (Monte Carlo) and a solid cast. Duris has shown his versatility as an actor for years and whilst this is a bit beneath his talents he still brings charm and a good…
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Everyone loves an underdog. We actively enjoy rooting for the person who normally has no chance of success, and in the movies the underdog is certainly more likely to succeed than in real life because the audience demands it. Whilst watching Heartbreaking I had the distinct impression that something was missing. I couldn't place it. That was until I realised that there was no underdog. The lead female has two choices, does she stay with her rich, successful, kind and attractive fiance, or go off with the undeniably beautiful, charming, talented man who was hired by her father to break up the marriage. Both these men have their charms, and both would have no trouble getting any women they wanted…
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I have Phil to thank for this film and it's been a long time coming.
Could it be? That looks like, surely not? Egg! Walking Dead. It is, how did he get in this?
This is a wonderful film. Very cleverly put together without being smarmy about it. It works on almost every level.
The team of three work really well together, the script and delivery being spot on with its timing. The love interest, Paradis, is so alluring but elusive.
I can't imagine anyone walking away from this film unhappy. If so, you are one cynical bastard!
Watch this now before you regret not seeing it earlier.
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"Heartbreaker" is a French rom com that makes you believe in rom coms again. It's so charmingly entertaining that no doubt there will be an American remake soon that's no where near as funny/smart/etc.
The plot is this: There's a team of 3 people, and they act as a sort of Mission Impossible-esque team and their mission (they choose to accept it for a large amount of cash) is to break up couples who are not meant to be together. Of course, on their final mission - the charmer of the group (the incredibly charming Romain Duris) falls in love with his target.
It's not breaking any new ground, but it's such a fun ride that it doesn't matter. I'm sure the Zach Braff version is going to suck, so weather the subtitles one night and enjoy!
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Everyone loves an underdog. We actively enjoy rooting for the person who normally has no chance of success, and in the movies the underdog is certainly more likely to succeed than in real life because the audience demands it. Whilst watching Heartbreaking I had the distinct impression that something was missing. I couldn't place it. That was until I realised that there was no underdog. The lead female has two choices, does she stay with her rich, successful, kind and attractive fiance, or go off with the undeniably beautiful, charming, talented man who was hired by her father to break up the marriage. Both these men have their charms, and both would have no trouble getting any women they wanted…
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Super cute and fun! If you're over excessively cheesy American romantic comedies, France is where you want to go.
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A very funny romantic comedy that seems, for the most part, to undermine the romantic comedy genre. Despite some visual flaws and a tad over-the-top plotting, this was so enjoyable and amusing that the problems seemed to fade away.
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French <3
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c'est suffisant de tuer le temps.
로망 뒤리스. 띠용띠용.
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A pretty decent, cute time-waster. It does get a bit ridiculous towards the end, and some of the characters are underdeveloped, but it's quite enjoyable, mainly thanks to the charming Romain Duris.
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Quite nice movie. Much better than the usual American romance/comedy. Predictable as all the movies like this, but very nice and fun to watch. Worthy.
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Wow, what a great film! Paradis is supurb, and to have a subtitled movie make you laugh is testament to the performances that make this one of the best comedies I have seen for a long time!