Embrassez qui vous voudrez (2002)
Directed by Michel Blanc

Film Review

Michel Blanc, one of France's most popular actors, best remembered for his hilarious turns in the Bronzés films, returns to the director's seat for a fourth time to deliver this lively ensemble comedy centred on that most deadly serious of French activities, the summer holiday. After the fairly disappointing Mauvaise passe (1999), Embrassez qui vous voudrez is an enjoyable romp that throws a big name cast (headed by a superb Charlotte Rampling) at a well-constructed and witty script, with Blanc finally proving himself to be an extremely proficient film director.

The wealth of talent on display makes this a rich mosaic in which human relationships are skilfully dissected with sensitivity, acuity and a certain amount of justifiable brutality.  Whilst the film makes you laugh, it also makes you reflect on the injustice and absurdity of human existence.  None of the characters in the film seems capable of finding fulfilment in their love lifes, yet all are willing slaves to their unbridled sexuality.  The situations and characters may be a little over-the-top, but there is more than a grain of truth in what we see.   Essentially, Embrassez qui vous voudrez is a pretty damn honest reflection of life as we now live it.  We may have more opportunities and greater prosperity than previous generations, but if the result is a more fragmented, less coherent and less satisfying way of life, can we ever be happier?   The film's French title is both provocative and ironic, reminding us how devalued romantic love has become in this fully liberated, live-for-the-present, throwaway society of ours.

Film Synopsis

After a stressful year, Elizabeth Lannier is looking forward to her holiday in Le Touquet.  When she learns that her best friend Véro will be staying in the same town, she suggests they spend their holiday together.  Véro agrees but must somehow keep from her friend the fact that, since her husband Jérôme lost his job, she is feeling the squeeze financially.  At the last minute Elizabeth learns that her husband cannot accompany her - he says he is too occupied with his work, but in reality he is having an affair with a transsexual.  In addition, her daughter, Emilie, has decided to take a holiday in the United States, with - unbeknown to her parents - one of her father's employees, Kevin.  With a bed going spare, Elizabeth invites one of her friends, Julie, to stay with her, with her baby.   Julie is something of a nymphomaniac who always ends up with the wrong man.  It happens again.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth has made friends with Lulu, an attractive lawyer whose husband Jean-Pierre is convinced that she is cheating on him.  With the holiday in Le Touquet rapidly turning into a disaster, Elizabeth invites all of her friends to a garden party at her home.  If she is expecting everything to resolve itself nicely, she is in for a nasty surprise...