I saw this at a Catherine Deneuve film retrospective, this being the only new film that was shown. There were about 1200 people in this huge theatre and we were all laughing out loud almost all the way through. Perhaps, because I am the same age as Deneuve, I could identify with her character more and I don't have any nitpicking to do with the movie's pace or plot. It did get off slowly in the beginning but that was essential to set the characters so that their various twists and turns could then seem out of character. The story line is really unimportant here - it is the small interactions among the characters as well as the large ones, the surprises that lay in store for us as the situation unfolds, and the comic timing that accompanies the story's contortions that make it so darn funny. Some characters are overdrawn to the point of being ridiculous - that is it would be ridiculous in a serious drama. But this is a comedy with not a few semi-slapstick elements. Depardieu is a kick and Deneuve is at the top of her game. See this!
