The alpine town of Charmoussey, has a sister village in the mountain above it. While Charmoussey is a blah kind of place, the ritzier higher elevated town is a picturesque resort, much favored by discerning tourists that come in droves during the season to enjoy the slopes. The only thing in common between the two towns is a beauty contest, that has been won since its inception by the more prosperous upper village.
The mayor of Charmoussey realizes he needs help if he is to have a local beauty get the crown and sash that goes with the prestige of having been judged to be the prettiest of the competing young women. For that, the town scrapes some funds and decide to bring a native man, Franck Chevrel, who has left town to become a film actor. Little do the citizens know about the real Franck, a man that has nothing to show for his years of trying to break into the business.
Franck's memories of the town he left seventeen years before, are not exactly pleasant. He had broken with Cecile, his girlfriend, that is kind enough to put him in her home because she sees he has no other way to survive. The trouble lies with the rebellious Camille, the teen aged daughter of Cecile who is into Goth fashions and questions everything Franck does. Franck will find there is a connection of sorts he never thought about.
The preparation for the contest is seen at different stages of the preparation and rehearsals. It becomes clear the lower town girls will be beaten by their rivals, even after Cecile decides to do the costumes and even after Camille is enlisted to take part in the competition. The good thing is that Franck realizes what he has lost after going after a glamorous life that did not happen.
Patrice Leconte is a serious filmmaker. We were surprised to see him at the helm of this comedy because he has done much serious work before. The problem seems to be in the thin material written for the comedy, which was probably a vehicle created for the star, Benoit Poelvoorde, a comic actor that is subdued by a screenplay that does not go anywhere. The film is mildly funny. Mr. Leconte has done better in his career, so this might be considered as a misfire.
The mayor of Charmoussey realizes he needs help if he is to have a local beauty get the crown and sash that goes with the prestige of having been judged to be the prettiest of the competing young women. For that, the town scrapes some funds and decide to bring a native man, Franck Chevrel, who has left town to become a film actor. Little do the citizens know about the real Franck, a man that has nothing to show for his years of trying to break into the business.
Franck's memories of the town he left seventeen years before, are not exactly pleasant. He had broken with Cecile, his girlfriend, that is kind enough to put him in her home because she sees he has no other way to survive. The trouble lies with the rebellious Camille, the teen aged daughter of Cecile who is into Goth fashions and questions everything Franck does. Franck will find there is a connection of sorts he never thought about.
The preparation for the contest is seen at different stages of the preparation and rehearsals. It becomes clear the lower town girls will be beaten by their rivals, even after Cecile decides to do the costumes and even after Camille is enlisted to take part in the competition. The good thing is that Franck realizes what he has lost after going after a glamorous life that did not happen.
Patrice Leconte is a serious filmmaker. We were surprised to see him at the helm of this comedy because he has done much serious work before. The problem seems to be in the thin material written for the comedy, which was probably a vehicle created for the star, Benoit Poelvoorde, a comic actor that is subdued by a screenplay that does not go anywhere. The film is mildly funny. Mr. Leconte has done better in his career, so this might be considered as a misfire.