Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. This evening: a bittersweet comedy about the implosion of a friendship, jealousy and rivalry, spicy to perfection.
Le Bonheur des uns… is the fourth film by French director, screenwriter and actor Daniel Cohen, who is adapting one of his own plays that has never been staged. After his gastronomic comedy Comme un chef in 2012, starring Jean Reno and Michaël Youn, the director signs here a caustic and comic feature film, to consider.
Léa, Marc, Karine and Francis are two couples of longtime friends who see their lives turned upside down when Léa, the most discreet of them, becomes the author of a acclaimed bestseller.
Léa’s happiness quickly brings misfortune to her “friends” who envy her success: resentment and meanness now punctuate their relationship. Embittered, they suddenly decide to become artists too…
The Happiness of some… is therefore the envy of others! The comedy of manners offers a beautiful reflection on notoriety and speaks above all of friendship: but not the one with a capital “A”, the one which can be filled with hypocrisy and bitterness.
In Léa’s success, those around her see their own failure and their greed take over, pushing them to reveal themselves in broad daylight and to try – in vain – to exist, in the face of the affirmation of their so reserved friend.
The other asset of the feature film, apart from its scathing theme, is its five-star cast, with accomplice actors. Faced with a perfect Vincent Cassel in the skin of a falsely sure of himself, misogynistic and selfish executive, shines an endearing and erased Bérénice Bejo, charm asset of the film without a doubt, who goes from shy saleswoman to acclaimed author.
On the other side, the couple Florence Foresti – François Damiens have fun while both try to reform their existence. The first is perfect in her childish jealousy, the second is touching and funny as a faithful husband who is also looking for an artistic field in which to excel.
With amusing and cruel lines, this acerbic comedy about a band of (too) human friends, which went unnoticed during the pandemic, finally deserves your attention.
Le Bonheur des uns…, by Daniel Cohen with Vincent Cassel, Bérénice Bejo, Florence Foresti…
From 12 years old
Tonight on M6 at 9:10 p.m.