REVIEW: C’EST LA VIE is a fine feelgood romp for French film fans and wedding tragics alike

REVIEW: C’EST LA VIE is the latest crowd-pleasing work from co-writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, the French team behind the international smash hit The Intouchables.

Jean-Pierre Bacri as a wedding planner in a scene from French film C'est la Vie

C’EST LA VIE (M)

Rating: Three stars (3 out of 5)

Directors: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano

Starring: Jean-Pierre Bacri, Jan-Paul Rouve, Gilles Lellouche, Eye Haïdara, Suzanne Clément.

Here comes the bride, there goes the reception

A fair old feelgood romp awaits for French film enthusiasts in C’est la Vie, the latest crowd-pleasing work from co-writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, the team behind the international smash hit The Intouchables.

While there is not much to remember in the long term here, there is plenty to enjoy in the moment if you don’t set your viewing bar too high.

Jean-Paul Rouve as a wedding photographer in a scene from French film C'est la Vie

Jean-Pierre Bacri stars as Max, a cantankerous caterer and wedding planner whose latest job is to finesse every small detail of the big day for spouses-to-be Helena (Judith Chemla) and Pierre (Benjamin Lavernhe).

Finesse might be the wrong word when it comes to Max. Particularly when wrangling the likes of a wedding singer who won’t croon the classics without adding his own personal flourishes, waiting staff of wildly varying abilities, a photographer unable to focus on anything, and a house band about to come down with food poisoning.

Scenes from C'est La vie

When it comes to all the post-ceremony and pre-dinner complications set in motion in the first act of C’est La Vie, there is almost a need to take notes about who is who, and what the hell they are getting up to.

Though a touch overlong, the film tracks a nice line in wry character-based comedy, and the 17th century chateau where the nuptials transpire is eye candy par excellence.

Originally published as REVIEW: C’EST LA VIE is a fine feelgood romp for French film fans and wedding tragics alike