In the midst of his re-election campaign, the very conservative mayor of a small town in northern France learns that his wife, to whom he has been married for 40 years, has always felt like a man and she begins a gender transition.
Posted yesterday at 9:30am.
More than 10 years after Laurence Whatevers, filmmaker Tristan Séguéla, best known for Doctor?, is also exploring the issue of trans identity, taking inspiration from the story of someone close to him who underwent a gender reassignment in his 50s initiated. But unlike Xavier Dolan, who bet on the dramatic effect such a situation can have on a couple, the French filmmaker saw more material in it to make a comedy out of it that primarily makes the viewer laugh, but also make you laugh think about the question.
Even if the whole thing doesn’t always avoid didactics and the final act is far too idealized to be believable, the fact remains that the bet is well-received. Dealing with such a sensitive subject in a popular comedy is undoubtedly an extremely dangerous undertaking, to which Tristan Séguéla has taken a very respectful approach. And really funny.
He also had the flair to bring two wonderfully complementary greats to the big screen for the first time. Catherine Frot and Fabrice Luchini are among those exceptional actors whose mere presence can elevate a scene beyond caricature and make their characters authentic and touching.
Catherine Frot is, of course, impressive in the role of this woman who was waiting for the end of his political career at the town hall of her sincerely beloved husband to finally reveal her true nature and initiate her sex change. Fabrice Luchini, whose character ranges from ultra-conservatism (his motto is “Forward as before!”) to acceptance, finds one of his most beautiful roles, especially since the situations are so intense that he never has to force the tone. Also worth mentioning is the presence of Philippe Katerine, priceless in the role of political assistant to the mayor.
We’re not going to talk about a masterpiece of finesse here, but A Happy Man, sustained by its two stars, has the merit of approaching a niche subject in an accessible and entertaining way.
indoors
comedy
A happy man
Tristan Seguela
With Catherine Frot, Fabrice Luchini, Philippe Katerine
1:29 p.m