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France | Germany | Belgium 2017
Opening June 22, 2017
Directed by: Stéphane Robelin
Writing credits: Stéphane Robelin
Principal actors: Pierre Richard, Yaniss Lespert, Fanny Valette, Stéphane Bissot, Stéphanie Crayencour
Monsieur Pierre (Richards) lives in the past since his wife died two years ago. The air in his apartment is stale, the curtains are drawn and any food in his fridge is moldy. From time to time his daughter Sylvie (Bissot) looks in, suggesting some action. Monsieur is in his 70s and has no wish to change his lifestyle. One day, Sylvie brings Alex (Lespert), her daughter's boyfriend, to teach the old man how to use the computer so that she can Skype with her father.
It all starts with Monsieur discovering the big wide world, namely an endless supply of beautiful women on his computer's dating site. The old man comes alive. He is young again, flirting and writing beautifully romantic letters to the woman of his choice: Flora63. Eventually she wants to meet him. There is only one problem. He never gave his own age and published Alex' photo, who is a young man of 30. By offering money to the unemployed Alex, he talks him into meeting his date in his place, acting as Pierrot98. Monsieur will stay nearby to keep an eye on the meeting. This thought alone is most amusing. It is no surprise that the brown-eyed Flora is much taken by the shy and reserved Alex. He has scruples by lying to her, especially as he starts falling in love. This only adds to the already problematic situation. Monsieur too is enthralled and very happy with the meeting. He keeps writing to lovely Flora. More confusion and consternation is added when his daughter Sylvie finds out that her father sees a young woman. “She is only after his money”, is all she can say when Flora comes visiting, who thinks that Monsieur Pierre is Alex' grandfather. After some more family drama, the mix-up can be unraveled and a happy-end is on the horizon.
This is a well-constructed, well-acted comedy with good camera work and refreshing ideas. It is a clever, modern adaptation of the old classic theme of “Cyrano de Bergerac” with a wonderful Pierre Richard (Der große Blonde mit dem schwarzen Schuh) in the title role. ()