Reviews on movie I Feel Good (4)

The film is set in a French commune, the refuge of all those in need, where everyone is given shelter and work. From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. It’s a very peaceful world with its own problems. Which exists despite the lack of hierarchy and financial component, a kind of dream of Marx.
And in this self-sufficient closed world comes our main character, the product of the opposing ideology - capitalism. Charged with the desire to get rich quickly, raised on the propaganda of the “American dream” – anyone can become that billionaire boss, business shark, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
What happens when these two worlds collide? Will the protagonist turn a small French nonprofit community into an island of capitalism?
The film is about France’s search for its own path, between two extremes, capitalism and communism. On the path and desires of ordinary people.
I take away two points from myself for being too tight, but otherwise fine. But don’t expect a comedy from this movie.

8 out of 10

European comedies clearly win against Hollywood in all articles: in them, humor is thinner and does not go down even to the waist, let alone lower, in them the characters are usually ordinary people living next to us, and situations, although funny, but with a considerable amount of drama and some instructive thought. In general, they are more human than space racers with a talking chipmunk in the title role, which is constantly bursting with “black jokes”. Greetings to Saint Moliere!

And when — especially in the French — in the center of the story is some eccentric, usually you get small, but entrenched in the heart of the masterpieces. We all remember the same Commissioner Juf running after Fantomas or, for example, the magnificent Amelie!
So this time, in the new film “I’m high” from the French master Benoit Delepin “I’m high”. Here, a strange dude named Jacques gets carried away and promotes the idea of getting rich quick. However, he does not have such an idea himself. Or rather, he has a lot of ideas, but enrichment does not work. To live like everyone around him is persuaded by his sister, who herself works almost all day, and even does charity. In their conflict lies a drama that is not confined to this family.
“We used to live without this money!” she says to her brother, but in fact, to all the global globalizers and financial tycoons who today have buried the world under themselves and under the green dollar. In response, he dreams of opening a cosmetic clinic and building his own Trump Tower. In the light genre of comedy with a taste of drama, the director gracefully shows the current world. And the conflict of people thinking about the soul and human values, and slackers trying to make money on the first, soulful.
I think that “I’m high”, despite the teenage title, will go well for our audience. We used to live without money. And here in Russia, of course, we are soulful.
7 out of 10

I can't believe it's been 7 years since the great Artist. I still remember fresh memories of how Jean Dujardin looked at us from all the glossy magazines in an embrace with his Oscar. A lot of water has leaked since then, and apart from a minor role in The Wolf of Wall Street, I don’t really remember any prominent roles. And by chance, I got to a session of the film “I’m high!”, where I was able to personally verify that there is still “powder in Dujardenitsy”.
The film tells us the story of Jacques Por, a high-aged stupor who, despite his considerable age (and the hero has long since crossed the threshold of a midlife crisis), is still in dreams and thoughts about the possibility of hasty enrichment. He has no opportunities, no assistants, but there is a huge pile of crazy ideas and a "boiled-and-white" robe with slippers. Together with the main character, we have to go all the way from a fanatical obsession to earn wild money to the realization that the most expensive is always near and very often in the pursuit of a pink dream we miss the most important thing.

The film is full of allusions and references to modern life (well, what we wanted is not a historical essay) and things that are very relevant in modern European society. Through the prism of a lot of comic situations and dizzying ideas of the protagonist, we gradually learn what the average Frenchman really cares about, what he cares about and what he aspires to. The film is built in a very light and bright style, watching it is very easy and exciting. In almost all the characters, and the picture is simply abounding, we can easily recognize our best friend, neighbor, and former classmate.
And how often in films of this “talk-and-boltological” genre, the king (Desjardins) makes his retinue (secondary characters). And in this movie, that's fine. Yolanda Moreau created a very good image of the sister of the protagonist, who has a more pragmatic and down-to-earth view of life. At times, her desire to reason with her empty brother meant giving out very rational advice that would not prevent many young people who waste their lives. The rest of the actors look worthy against the background of the Oscar-winning artist and create a friendly tandem in acting out this cheerful comedy of positions.

As a result, I want to say that it is very in vain that many moviegoers today ignore European films, because they have much more sensible things and interesting plots than in most of today's Hollywood films. They are as if closer to the viewer, trying to conduct a dialogue with the viewer, forcing them to think not only about what is happening on the screen, but also about their own life, drawing imperceptible parallels.
8 out of 10

Don’t listen to those people who say that French comedies are not the same as they were before. Just the world is changing, the audience wants a little different stories that step in step with the times. What are the incredible adventures of Jean Renaud and Christian Clavier in time, or the cult race of taxi driver Daniel around Marseille?
And what is one Jean Dujardin, charismatic, brash and incredibly charming Frenchman who is able to give a dizzying comedy about the special services in Agent 117, and then win an Oscar for Best Actor in Artist. Undoubtedly, he is a very diverse actor, but personally I still like it when he plays in comedies. And with an adventurous bias. And just such a picture is "I'm high!", which is able to lift the mood.

At the head of this story is old Jacques, who is not used to working, but at the same time he really wants to get rich. Fate constantly throws him far from the most pleasant surprises, but Jacques hangs on, is not discouraged and starts another scam. I don't care. That he does not even have pockets, because of the clothes on the hero only a robe. Asked to visit his sister, who does not love him very much, Jacques takes to implement his plans and seriously hopes to promote the business of cosmetic manipulations. But, as you would expect, everything is not so simple in this story, and Ostap Bender in French has yet to get out of many alterations!
Despite the fact that we have already seen a lot of comedies about scammers, “I’m high!” still stands out in a profitable way thanks to its magnificent actors, the palm of the championship among which of course holds Dujardin. His smile continues to fascinate girls, and manners are akin to a true British gentleman. All the guy needs is luck. But it's a fixable matter.

I also want to say a few words about Yolanda Moreau, who played the sister of the main character. To my shame, I do not know this actress, although she is clearly not deprived of talent, and has been playing in notable French films for a decade. Moreau delicately and at the same time incredibly sweet complements with his play the energetic machinations of Dujardin, acting as the voice of reason and morality when it is most necessary.
In general, I want to say that you will only benefit if you decide to read this picture. "I'm high!" gives a great mood, allows you to enjoy the charm of true French comedy and once again reminds you that Jean Dujardin is a value to be reckoned with.

8 out of 10