French Men /
Le Cœur Des Hommes (R)

by Marc Esposito

French Men is an inventory of life's many situations and dilemmas. As its title in French suggests, the film's ambition is to capture no less than the elusive thing of which a man's spirit is made, across an impressive span of emotions, revealed through glimpses of life. Director Marc Esposito's impressive debut feature concerns the lives of four friends, typical middle-aged Parisians, over a few short months. Their connivance is satisfying and often jubilant, with a multi-layered narrative that echoes Agnes Jaoui's delightful The Taste of Others.

Alex, Antoine, Jeff and Manu have been friends for 25 years, since playing for the same football team in the Paris suburbs. They see each other regularly, talking, arguing and laughing together. From humble origins, they have achieved success in their respective fields. Alex and Jeff have founded a small stable of popular sports magazines. Antoine is a gym teacher in a top-ranking Parisian high school. Manu runs one of the most frequented butcher's shops in town.

One spring, they are struck by a series of major events which bring them even closer together. Confronted by situations out of their control, they share personal secrets, listen, support, fight and question themselves and each other.

This bittersweet romantic comedy is carried by the tremendous group of actors involved, especially the quartet of friends played by Gérard Darmon, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Marc Lavoine and Bernard Campan. 

France- 2003 -Comedy - 100 min -French with English subtitles
Director: Marc Esposito
Script: Marc Esposito
With: Marc Lavoine, Gérard Darmon, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Bernard Campan, Ludmila Mikael, Fabienne Baba, Zoe Felix, Florence Thomasin, Catherine Wilkening