Why do we care about a privileged young beautiful woman who is about to marry a guy she may be wrong for? Cinema, is aspirational, escapist, and when it isn’t, it’s either boring or considered by cynics as “poverty porn” (see the backlash against Precious). The romantic comedy has always shifted towards escapism, in real life meet-cutes are far and few between. Therefore we suspend our sense of realism and engage or we resist. Heartbreaker is an irresistible piece of escapist cinema.
The plot isn’t original, in fact Dane Cook has played roles similar to this: a “hired” “expert” whom manipulates women. Because this is a work of French escapism, the hired gun this time around is charming and handsome, played by Romain Duris, who should be an international star. Alex Lippi is a professional heartbreak, the kind of guy who is hired by friends and family of women to charm women into realizing they’re better than their present lover. This doesn’t come cheap, from 3,000 Euro suits, to his team (his sister and her husband). Then there are the spy gadgets from mini cameras to sophisticated costumes – it is no wonder this business venture is highly leveraged and on the run from the mob.
The team is hired by a wealthy manager, whose daughter (Vanessa Paradis) is marrying an English millionaire, played by Love Actually’s Andrew Lincoln. Appearing as her bodyguard, Duris fakes an attack to win her trust. The film has a great deal of fun playing with romantic comedy conventions in Monaco. Little made of the Lincoln’s character, he seems like a decent guy, and it seems his character exists only as a commentary on French cultural policy.
Of course American and English culture has already done its damage with Dirty Dancing and Boy George as running themes the film has a good time with. Overall the film delivers on its premise: it’s a smart, good-natured date flick. I just hope they don’t hire Dane Cook to star in the inevitable American remake.
7 out of 10
Heartbreaker is currently on VOD and in limited release.