Priceless / Hors de prix (2006)

Andrew loves Audrey Tautou and we've seen her in A Very Long Engagement (2004), Coco Before Chanel (2009), and of course the magical Amélie (2001). I think she's a wonderfully gifted actress, particularly in comedies, and she has a distinctive look that is both classy and attractive in an offbeat sort of way. There's no one quite like her in Hollywood. 

On the basis that Audrey Tautou is excellent, therefore, I bought Andrew the 2006 comedy Priceless, which looked in the posters and promos like it was a modern French take on Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). It's not though. It's utterly different, and utterly French! The plot is one I couldn't see working in a Hollywood movie - Jean (Gad Elmaleh) is a waiter who falls for Tautou's Irene, who turns out to be a con artist that finds wealthy men and bleeds them dry. Thinking that Jean is another rich picking, she flees to his arms when her latest lover throws her out. When Jean learns of her lifestyle, he joins in her game, by finding his own sugar 'mummy' to keep him in smart suits and mopeds, all the while chasing Irene to try and win her heart. 

It's an interesting concept, and when you think about it incredibly seedy! Our heroes are basically high class prostitutes, yet they're so 'French' and gorgeous with it - the movie looks simple sumptuous with the beautiful hotel locations and Tautou's wardrobe - that you forget about it and enjoy the fantasy.

While not as fantastical or imaginative as Amélie or A Very Long Engagement, and less serious than Coco Before Chanel, I enjoyed Priceless, and continue to admire Tautou's comedic ability, and the way she's not simply playing Amélie in each movie! Her co-star, Gad Elmaleh is apprently a comedian in France, and he's good, but sometimes I wasn't sure if he was being enigmatic, or just looking blank because he's not that good an actor. As this is French movie, I'm assuming it was the former! I do enjoy a French film, and this one I'd enjoy over again.