Combien tu m'aimes? (2005)
Directed by Bertrand Blier

Film Review

For over three decades, French filmmaker Bertrand Blier has been taunting, pleasing and surprising cinema audiences (in roughly equal measure) with his provocative, uniquely unreal brand of cinema.  His latest film, Combien tu m'aimes?, goes further than many of his previous films into the realms of absurdity and invites us to reflect on the value of human relationships in a society where material wealth appears to count for more than emotional well-being.   This film isn't entirely without entertainment value but, lacking the subtlety and coherence of Blier's earlier work, it often comes across as silly and aimless and, overall, it fails to make a positive impression. 

Looking back on some of the director's previous films - Les Valseuses (1974), Buffet froid (1979) and Trop belle pour toi (1989) - it is apparent that these films have impact because Blier always manages to keep one foot in reality, giving the spectator a reference point.   With some of his more recent films, and Combien tu m'aimes? is a good example, both feet (and every other appendage) are well and truly in fantasy land and it is far more difficult to engage with what we are shown.   Whilst this latest Blier offering has an excellent cast who make the most of the material they are given, you can't help feeling that the director is fast running out of steam and all he can do now is regale us with increasingly hollow parodies of his earlier work.

Film Synopsis

The star attraction at Charly's popular nightclub in Pigalle is Daniela, an Italian prostitute that no man can resist, apparently.  François wants more than an evening with this stunning young woman.  He wants to spend the rest of his life with her.  And he's prepared to pay.  François has just won the jackpot on the national lottery - four million euros.  He is willing to give Daniela a hundred thousand euros a month to live with him - an offer that no girl can turn down.  François is in seventh heaven when Daniela agrees to move in with him, and she is just as happy, glad to finally get away from the despicable nightclub owner who has been exploiting her all this time.  But how long will their newfound happiness last?  Can love be bought so readily?  Will Daniela miss her old life?  Only time will tell...