Synopsis
When Nénette discovers the identity of her father in a letter, she quickly goes off in search of him. But instead of finding her father, she is met by her half-brother, Paul. Paul, a bitter man who gave up his dream to take over his father’s pharmacy business, is less than thrilled at the arrival of his ‘embarrassing’ half-sister. After refusing to take her in, he soon gets a taste of his own medicine. Under the influence of a potent drug, for one day Paul is generous, happy and sensitive. The next morning, however, once the drug has worn off, his nasty side comes back...
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Cast
- Josiane BalaskoAntoinette
- Michel BlancPaul
- Brigitte RoüanVeronique
- Françoise LépineFrançoise
- Christine MurilloMme Lefèvre
- Grégoire BaujatMaxime
- Jean-Yves ChatelaisPatrick Régnier
- Stéphan WojtowiczMaître Bonvallet
- Chantal BanlierMme Lavreau
- Sarah SucoToo Much
Recommendations
- 60
New York Daily News
Broad comedy and a little slapstick ensue. In the end, you’ve got to have a heart harder than a tortoise shell not get a little misty. - 50
NPR
If Nenette as a character is more a narrative convenience than a depiction of an actual condition, her permanent childhood does provide the 63-year-old Balasko with an exuberant, unpredictable role. That she continues to make work for herself as both an actress and a director is a good thing, but it would be better if she found a more ambitious writer. - 30
The Hollywood Reporter
This sentimental French farce unsuccessfully strains for laughs while lurching towards its all too predictable denouement. - 20
Village Voice
The film indulges in much wannabe-funny wailing, shrieking, and flopping about by Nénette and Paul, only to then lace its buffoonish material with semi-serious undercurrents. - 20
The New York Times
This sickly sweet concoction sets your teeth on edge. - 20
Variety
French actress-writer-director Josiane Balasko plunges in with all the finesse of a hopped-up Pollyanna, her simplistic interpretation of an impaired sexagenarian coming close to outright parody.
