A middle-aged bourgeois discovers a rare jazz album. Wanting to enjoy the music in ecstatic silence, he hopes for some peace and quiet. Sadly enough life is more hectic than ever. A number of domestic crises, many of them of his own making, are about to rear their ugly heads...
Although it ends on a rare note of tenderness, "Une heure" is mainly a tale about a rich and unpleasant egotist pursued by his own shortcomings. (The title of the jazz album, "Me, myself and I", should function as a clue here.) Still, the other characters aren't all that likeable either : the protagonist's son, for instance, is instantly recognisable as one of those egregious "rebels" who dislike their father, their father's ideas and their father's ideals, but not their father's money.
Christian Clavier does well enough as the selfish protagonist, but the material itself isn't all that new or interesting. There's a sense of "déjà vu" about the various comedic situations. Moreover, the movie clings closely, perhaps too closely, to its theatrical roots. A bit more daring might have done wonders here.
On the other hand "Une heure" wasn't the worst thing I ever saw. A rating of six stars seems about right here...
Although it ends on a rare note of tenderness, "Une heure" is mainly a tale about a rich and unpleasant egotist pursued by his own shortcomings. (The title of the jazz album, "Me, myself and I", should function as a clue here.) Still, the other characters aren't all that likeable either : the protagonist's son, for instance, is instantly recognisable as one of those egregious "rebels" who dislike their father, their father's ideas and their father's ideals, but not their father's money.
Christian Clavier does well enough as the selfish protagonist, but the material itself isn't all that new or interesting. There's a sense of "déjà vu" about the various comedic situations. Moreover, the movie clings closely, perhaps too closely, to its theatrical roots. A bit more daring might have done wonders here.
On the other hand "Une heure" wasn't the worst thing I ever saw. A rating of six stars seems about right here...