Tag: jean reno

You got a pose called yoga guy gets his ass kicked? “Couples Retreat” (2009)

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directed by Peter Billingsley
© 2009 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

One of those comedies I like getting back to. Recently I rewatched it again and I was laughing like crazy. It’s really the kind of humour I adore and I can relax to. In this story we get to know several couples. First one is Dave and Ronnie (Vince Vaughn & Malin Åkerman), who are a sweet couple, have two little children and not that much time for each other. Then Joey and Lucy (Jon Favreau & Kristin Davis), a couple that wish to get divorced as soon as possible, or rather as soon as their teenage daughter leaves home. Then we get Shane (Faizon Love), who has recently divorced his wife and is now dating a way younger Trudy (Kali Hawk). Last but not least, Jason and Cynthia (Jason Bateman & Kristen Bell), who are a very hard-working couple and are having difficulties with conceiving a baby. And they are the ones who decide to sign up for a couple therapy at some mysterious resort called Eden. However, they cannot afford going there on their own, but they’ve found the Pelican Package, which means that if they bring 3 other couples, all of them will pay half price. Obviously, the 3 other couples don’t even want to hear about it, but Jason and Cynthia beg them to help as it could be their last chance to save the marriage. Their friends finally agree but only if they could skip the therapy sessions and enjoy the goods of that magical Eden. How surprised they are when the rules of Eden say differently… I guess I love this film so much because each actor and actress in it is a magnificent individual, who can play their role very well. Very good casting. Plus Jean Reno as the leader of Eden and Peter Serafinowicz as that annoying manager forcing everyone to attend the sessions. Even that yoga guy, Salvadore (Carlos Ponce) made me cry with his character. Seriously, I love this comedy and no matter what you say, it’s my guilty pleasure and I recommend you to spend an evening with it.

My rating: 7/10
S.

It’s much better down there. “The Big Blue” (1988)

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directed by Luc Besson
© 1988 Columbia Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

As I promised yesterday, today we’re getting back to Jacques Mayol, the famous free diver. If his story seems interesting to you or you enjoyed watching the documentary about him, then I’d also recommend watching “The Big Blue”. This film is based on the life of two free divers, Jacques Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo Maiorca (Jean Reno). Those two gentlemen were friends and both shared the same passion. “The Big Blue” is, as they say, very much fictionalised, meaning that a lot was added to make it look good enough for the screen. That is why I would recommend watching the documentary first, because you would already know the truth. Although… if you like emotional stories, then go for “The Big Blue” first and then learn how it looked like in real life. I’ve spotted plenty of differences, but it doesn’t mean the film isn’t worth watching. It’s actually fantastic when it comes to the cinematography. I couldn’t stop staring at those beautiful shots. Besides, in the film the story is way more dramatic, there’s also a love story added, then the ending is also more spectacular (and I would say more positive than the reality, but you’d have to know the truth about Jacques to understand why I think so). From time to time I thought that the production was a bit too slow (it’s almost 3 hours long), but then I realised it had its charm. I mean, when you’re looking at open water, time is going way slower. And that’s exactly how I felt watching “The Big Blue”. So I don’t care there are some made up stories in it, that they renamed Enzo Maiorca as Enzo Molinari, that neither of the men dived as deep as they did in the film etc. Still, it’s a beautiful production, a very inspiring story (even though full of fiction), reminds us about those two incredible individuals and it’s very well-done. And if you want to know the truth, check out yesterday’s post and watch “Dolphin Man”. For the end, I’d like to leave you with my favourite quote from “The Big Blue”: “[…] The hardest thing is when you’re at the bottom. […] ‘Cause you have to find a good reason to come back up…”

My rating: 7/10
S.

Desert knows you better. “4 latas” (2019)

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directed by Gerardo Olivares
© 2019 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Probably the most interesting film about reunions I’ve seen. And I don’t mean it’s full of plot twists (actually, there are some) or that it’s full of incredible adventures (which also take place)… Okay, this film IS entertaining. But what I liked the most about it was its originality. Because the story isn’t about the reunion itself. It’s about making this reunion happen. We have Jean Pierre (Jean Reno) and Tocho (Hovik Keuchkerian) who are old friends. One of them, Tocho, receives a letter from their third friend Joseba, who announces that he’s seriously ill and is soon going to die. Tocho informs Jean Pierre about this and both of them want to go to see Joseba one last time. They contact his daughter Ely (Susana Abaitua) and she says she wants to join them. But there’s one condition. They need to go by car. And not any car. By her father’s car, which is Renault 4. And as you may be guessing, those amigos agree. They actually drive that car all the way to Timbuktu. So why should you see this film? First of all, it’s not like any other one about a reunion. It really shows the power of male friendship without any obscure scenes. Second of all, they happen to have quite typical adventures while driving through the desert, but they experience them in an extraordinary way. Jean Pierre and Tocho are totally different from each other and there’s also Ely, a very stubborn young woman. So we have a mix of personalities in the middle of nowhere. And third of all, Jean Reno of course. I’m a huge fan of this man and his characters always make me think of that one film he played in… Maybe you know which one that is. If you don’t, I can just say his name in that film starts with L. Anyway, a very sweet story about a friendship.

My rating: 7/10
S.