MY BEST FRIEND
aka MON MEILLEUR AMI
Year: 2006
USA: IFC Films
UK: Optimum Releasing
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Dany Boon, Julie Gayet, Julie Durand, Henri Garcin, Jacques Mathou, Marie Pillet, elisabeth Bourgine, Jacques Spiesser, Audrey Marnay, Anne Le Ny, Pierre Aussedat, Philippe Du Janerand, Fabienne Chaudat, Marie Mergey, Andree Damant, Etienne Draber, Eric Naggar
Director: Patrice Leconte
Country: France
Language: French (English subtitles)
USA & UK: 94 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains strong language
USA Release Date: 13 July 2007 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 11 May 2007 (Limited Release)
US Distributor
UK Distributor
Synopsis
Francois ( Daniel Auteil, HIDDEN) is a middle-aged antique dealer. He's got a stylish apartment and a fabulous life, but at a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintance, he is blindsided by the revelation that none of them actually like him. He's arrogance, self centred and harsh, and they don't believe he even has a friend. His business partner Catherine (Julie Gayet) makes him a bet: if he can produce his best friend, she will let him keep the massive Greek vase he acquired that afternoon on the company tab. If not, it's hers.
Having accepted her wager, Francois naively tears through his address book, trying to shoehorn an increasing unlikely series of contacts into the all-important role. Moving through Paris, he keeps encountering a trivia-spouting, big-hearted cabbie named Bruno (Danny Boon). Bruno's chatty, lowbrow way grate against Francois designer temperament, but he covets the other man's ease way with people. He convinces Bruno to teach him how to make friends and sets about learning the "three S's" -being sociable, smiling and sincere - though they don't come easy.
Is the answer to Francois' problem sitting beside him in the taxis?
MY BEST FRIEND is directed by Patrice Leconte (RIDICULE, THE GIRL ON THE BRIDGE, THE MAN ON THE TRAIN).