Synopsis
Michel, a fifty year old man, graphic designer, decides to change the urban lifestyle and go on an adventure. Fascinated by airmail, he dreams at Jean Mermoz when he's on scooter. One day, Michel sees a picture of a kayak.
2015 ‘Comme un avion’ Directed by Bruno Podalydès
Michel, a fifty year old man, graphic designer, decides to change the urban lifestyle and go on an adventure. Fascinated by airmail, he dreams at Jean Mermoz when he's on scooter. One day, Michel sees a picture of a kayak.
Bruno Podalydès Sandrine Kiberlain Agnès Jaoui Vimala Pons Denis Podalydès Michel Vuillermoz Jean-Noël Brouté Pierre Arditi Noémie Lvovsky Samir Guesmi Mehdi Djaadi Blutch Benjamin Lavernhe Leslie Menu Nassime Nazari Georges Labbouz Nicolas Bruneaux Olivier Miconi Guillaume Plumejeau Nino Podalydès Stéphanie Cléau
Sladký útěk, Nur Fliegen ist schöner, Γλυκιά Απόδραση, Mint egy repülő, 비행기처럼, Saldā aizbēgšana, Um Doce Refúgio, На плаву, Sladký útek, 如翼之舟
These French "dramedies" that never make it stateside (or across the channel as the case may be) and are a constant presence in French movie theaters always seem so thin on paper, and yet turn out to be pretty damn watchable. The premise of this one is the midlife crisis--involving an obsession with kayaks--of a graphic designer with a nice wife and a typical modern middle-class lifestyle (they fall asleep with the ipad still on in bed). And because it is a French movie, there is adultery throughout, of course. Sounds supremely boring, and yet it was sort of great.
I didn't want to see it but the local theater had super cheap tickets (and popcorn and Cornetto!) and all…
There is something about this movie that did not let go of me. Something made me think about it again and again. And by writing this, I hope to exorcise it.
I have a deep, personal problem with artists, largely male directors, who write, direct and play in their own midlife crisis fantasy. There is questions in here that are inherent to the condition of finding yourself to be grown too deep into a spot where you have become comfortable. A profession, a marriage, a life that has just been going on like that for too long. On autopilot. And to take control, you got to break out. In this premise lies an interesting film. However, it is not delivered here, as the condition is not questioned but rather used as a means to project a heroic escapism, where the director smallers himself by staging him against a backdrop of characters who only support his vision of grandeur
Ein in Absynth getränkter französischer Sommernachtstraum eines Kayakfahrers. Leider trägt ihn der Fluss nicht allzu weit.
Everyone’s dream is to escape. This film was full of humor. I wanted to be him kayaking on the river with no plans enjoying spontaneity. Great film!
Comme un avion/The Sweet Escape (2015)
France, colour, 100m.
Directed by Bruno Podalydès, who also wrote the screenplay and played the central character.
Should have been easier than it sounds.
A charming bagatelle made in a somewhat améliesque way.
Sandrine Kiberlain, Agnès Jaoui and Vimala Pons are posing as french women. Pierre Arditi is playing an angry Pierre Arditi. The choice of actors suggests an Alain Resnais vehicle from the 1980's, but is in reality much more a whimsical Agnès Jaoui movie.
There is some nice fantasizing with absurd camera shots, some nudity, and some adultery. It is french after all.
A kind of FEELGOOD-movie where nothing is very serious at the surface. Underneath may Bruno Podalysés' character have had some revelations. Nothing much happens really, but with a very french esprit.
En plus d’être drôle, c’est beau. Non pardon - au-delà d’être drôle, une vrai mélancolie nostalgique emporte le film et métaphorise une simple balade kayak en un ruisseau de vie.
Alors avec le titre en anglais caufait mal au yeux mais bon.... j'ai beaucoup aimé et surtout des mois plus tard, il me laisse encore une douceur émotionnelle! Mmmh j'adore ces films là!
Oh yeah. A sad/sexy/lost man trying to find himself/nature/French “comedy” ?
You might as well have offered me a film contract, a naked woman and a stack of comic books, because I was sold for this right away.
It doesn’t truly get to where it seems like it’s trying to, settling into a more simple comedy, but themes of disappointment in life and finding peace with that disappointment really stuck with me.
I will also say that moment of the husband floating down the river and his wife walking alongside of him after they both cheated, but both alongside of each other....that will stick with me.
Oh and Vimala Pons........c'est magnifique.