HAPPINESS NEVER COMES ALONE/ UN BONHEUR N’ARRIVE JAMAIS A SEUL.

France, 2012, 107 minutes, Colour.
Sophie Marceau, Gad Elmaleh, Maurice Barthelmy.
Directed by James Huth.

This is one of those French romantic comedies that should prove entertaining for those who like French romantic comedies. And for those who like Sophie Marceau. In the past Sophie Marceau has been a rather solemn, sometimes pouting presence in films (D’Artagnan’s Daughter, Anna Karenina, Braveheart) and did not seem to be a likely candidate for comedy let alone so much of the slapstick jokes that punctuate the film. Her pratfalls are very funny and she effects them with perfect timing.

But this is also the story of Sacha (Gad ELmaleh), a pianist who leads a carefree, no responsibilities, one-night-stand, kind of life. He plays piano at a club (and very well, especially as he plays during the opening credits), composes commercial jingles and is preparing a show (music, dance and mime) with one of his friends.

As it pours raining outside an office building (into his open sports car), Charlotte (Marceau) literally trips and falls flat on her face in front of him (and then is drenched by a passing car and gets hit in the head as the valet throws the car keys). As Sacha gives her a lift, they fall in love.

This changes Sacha almost completely and the couple begin a relationship – and more pratfalls as her bathroom and basin collapse in a mess. Then he discovers she has a son. And then he discovers that she has two more children. He had previously declared himself ‘anti-kids’. But, he clicks with them. They click with him. It all seems perfect. Except that the arrogant and womanizing head of the advertising company, with whom he has clashed, is her ex-husband (and she has another ex-husband as well).

And the show? An opportunity to go to Broadway? But, there is more going on behind the scenes… But, it is no secret that the film will have a happy ending, but we wonder towards the end how this could be possible.

1. French romantic comedy? For those in their thirties, forties? Older audiences looking back?

2. The strong cast, the screen presence? Paris, homes, offices and streets, mass and theatre? The presentation of New York City, theaters, streets, vistas?

3. The musical score, the range of songs, lyrics, interspersed throughout the film? Sacha and his playing the piano during the credits, throughout the film? Strong performance? Creating the show, the music?

4. The introduction to Sacha, his age, the reputation of his father and his being in his shadow, while admiring him? His grandmother, her very Jewish perspective, playing cards, wondering about circumcision, wanting him to marry a Jewish girl? His mother, fussing about him, cleaning and cooking, wanting him to marry and have children? Her visits? Sacha and his being anti-kids? Creating the jingles, going to the meeting, his comment about the 5 seconds of music, the clash with Alain Posche? The clubs and his life? One night stands? His house, the décor, the posters of all the musicals?

5. The car, reckless parking, being drenched? Charlotte, her fall, being drenched, the keys hitting her head, literally falling in love? Charlotte and her being accident-prone, slapstick?

6. The romantic aura and slow motion in the car? The kiss, falling in love? The continued meetings, the sexual encounter, the rapport? Her situation with Alain, her first husband, the children?

7. The comedy with the plumbing, the basins, after the water spurting? Sacha and his return, discovering the three children, his response? The meals, his babysitting, the outings, ten pin bowls? His bonding with the children?

8. Charlotte, her character, her situation, two separations, Alain and his buying off her first husband for the gym in Cannes, not wanting to lose her children, her concern?

9. The doctor and his wife, the performances, his being part of the troupe, friendship with Sacha, fixing Susan’s leg? The couple going to New York and telling the truth?

10. Lauren and his performance, exuberance, the rehearsals, anxiety about the show, meetings with Sacha, the meeting with the executives, Sacha,, the boy being sick, the computer, taking the skate, the metro strike, being late, his poor performance, charlotte’s clothes, the failure?

11. Laurent and Alain, the financing of the show, getting rid of Sacha, Laurent going to see Charlotte? Sacha and the roses, meeting Charlotte in the park, her rejection, her pain?

12. The excitement of New York, the theatre, the rehearsals with the dance and the shadows, the music? Success?

13. The visit, the truth, punching Laurent? The manager, romantic, allowing Sacha five days, the return?

14. Sacha searching the Charlotte, the new house, the kids seeing him, welcoming him, Charlotte welcoming him?

15. The picture of true love, with comic and slapstick touches, picture of family, the selfish ex-husbands, the liveliness of the children? Transforming the
adults’ lives?