What’s it about: With the best of intentions hairdresser Emilie Dandrieux forwards a love letter she’s received to her mother in order to help her forget about her womanizing ex-husband, as he’s about to get married to a younger woman. Her plans backfire when she discovers that the anonymous writer works closer to home than she realized and hilarity ensues in this subtitled French romantic comedy.
Starring:Audrey Tatou (Amelie), Nathalie Baye (Catch Me If You Can) Sami Bouajila (Outside The Law)
Handbag hearts: Beautiful Lies offers you a couple of hours of total escapism thanks to its charming take on the world. We left the cinema imagining life was one big French rom com, but were brought back to earth with a bump when we remembered we were actually wandering the streets of less than salubrious Soho, rather than a quaint French town. Laughs were few and far between in Beautiful Lies, but when they did arrive they were incredibly funny. Audrey Tatou is fantastic playing what is essentially a rather unpleasant character. Emilie’s behavior is increasingly incredulous towards the end, so kudos to Audrey’s acting skills, as you can’t help but like her.
What’s bad: Not wanting to give away too much, we were left questioning whether the French think it’s OK for mothers and daughters to share men. Because we think that’s a bit weird . Stereotyping was also out in abundance; if characters weren’t central to the plot they were portrayed as bumbling French idiots.
Should you see it: Oui, mon cheri. We fell in love with this cute tale, the French language (like we ever stopped) and lead Sami Bouajila all at the same time.
Have a look at our Audrey Tatou icon gallery.
Check out our list of the best of French cinema
Read our review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II
