“Notting Hill” crosses the English Channel and loses most of its charm in this shamelessly derivative trifle from France. Officially, the inspiration is a more recent Israeli TV series. Either way, the only surprise is that the title, “French Lover,” is not meant to be understood in its obvious meaning. Rather, it refers to a brand of body spray that the movie and TV star Abel Camara (Omar Sy) is promoting in an ad.
Abel is unhappy. He wants to take on serious film roles, not lousy commercials, and maybe even win a César, the French equivalent of an Oscar. In his irritated state, he goes to a café after a shoot and gets in an argument with a waitress, Marion (Sara Giraudeau), who is then fired. Through silly complications (it’s a long wait for a bus), he ends up driving her to her apartment, where he learns that she is undergoing a divorce.
After way too long — and a needless subplot about how Abel’s agent, Camille (Pascale Arbillot), is trying to “cast” an unwanted replacement for his cheating ex, Léna (Cindy Bruna), for tabloid fodder — Abel and Marion become a couple. But can the gulf between his highly visible lifestyle and her determinedly low profile ever be bridged?
More important, can the movie, directed by Nina Rives and streaming on Netflix, succeed in distracting you from your dishes while these two lovebirds work it out? It’s an open question as to whom the film insults the most: the principals (Marion gullibly believes that Abel does his own stunts; Abel is so spoiled he can’t perform basic household tasks); the public (depicted as clamoring for brainless celebrity gossip); or you, the viewer, from whom so little has been demanded.
French Lover
Not rated. In French, with subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
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