Director Patrice Leconte's Mon Meilleur Ami (My Best Friend) tells a simple, often predictable, tale of a man trying to find friendship or, more specifically, a man trying to find a friend - any friend. The result is a
sometimes light, sometimes moving and sometimes insightful comedy-drama.
François Coste (Daniel Auteuil) is a middle-aged antique dealer and divorcee who sincerely believes that his successful, well organized life has made him admired and liked by his family, acquaintances, and business associates. He does not realize that in reality he has become so self-absorbed and distanced from the world around him that he knows nothing personal about his long-time business partner Caroline (Julie Gaynet); that his college-aged daughter Louise (Julie Durand) feels neglected by him; and that most of the other people who he comes into contact with only tolerate him. Then he is confronted with the truth. During a dinner party, Caroline, upset over François impulsively buying an expensive ancient Greek vase that they cannot afford, tells him that he is unlikable and has no friends. Several others present second her comments and when Francois protests she offers a bet. He has ten days to present one person who can state that he is one of the art dealer's best friends. If he cannot do so, then she gets full possession of the vase. Thus starts an increasingly desperate race to find a friend. Francois buys books dealing with friendships, attends Dale Carnegie-style seminars, and talks to strangers on the street. He searches the Internet. He locates his "best friend" from junior high and "accidentally" runs into him at a grocery store where he is told that his "friend" had actually considered the art dealer to be a pompous bully and by all present indications he still is one.
François Coste (Daniel Auteuil) is a middle-aged antique dealer and divorcee who sincerely believes that his successful, well organized life has made him admired and liked by his family, acquaintances, and business associates. He does not realize that in reality he has become so self-absorbed and distanced from the world around him that he knows nothing personal about his long-time business partner Caroline (Julie Gaynet); that his college-aged daughter Louise (Julie Durand) feels neglected by him; and that most of the other people who he comes into contact with only tolerate him. Then he is confronted with the truth. During a dinner party, Caroline, upset over François impulsively buying an expensive ancient Greek vase that they cannot afford, tells him that he is unlikable and has no friends. Several others present second her comments and when Francois protests she offers a bet. He has ten days to present one person who can state that he is one of the art dealer's best friends. If he cannot do so, then she gets full possession of the vase. Thus starts an increasingly desperate race to find a friend. Francois buys books dealing with friendships, attends Dale Carnegie-style seminars, and talks to strangers on the street. He searches the Internet. He locates his "best friend" from junior high and "accidentally" runs into him at a grocery store where he is told that his "friend" had actually considered the art dealer to be a pompous bully and by all present indications he still is one.
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