15 – 93mins – 2015
THANKS TO MY FRIENDS
An effervescent French comedy-drama about how easy it is to slip into a rut, waste your potential and unconsciously give up on your dreams. With flashes of quirky humour which bring to life the juvenile imaginings of 30-something best pals Alex (Alex Lutz) and Jeff (Tom Dingler), this has shades of the charming Amelie about it, but also more than a passing resemblance to the breezy air of (500) Days of Summer.
When Alex’s old childhood friend Thibault (Bruno Sanches) turns up at his dull multinational firm a handsome, successful, go-getting motivational speaker and life couch, Alex’s relaxed, seemingly-contented existence is thrown into confusion, as he questions his job, his life and his goals. But where does comfortable-yet-apathetic Jeff fit into his new plans?
You don’t always concur with Alex’s newfound, rash decision-making as he sets out to make a name for himself and be a star, but his journey is an interesting and genuine one – even if presented in such a light, irreverent way. You see relationships formed and fumbled, emotions rise and fall and success loom on the horizon.
While it is straight-guy Alex whose path we follow, Jeff is the stand-out character. A simple, cheeky chap who gets joy from simple things, his heartfelt epiphany in the closing stages is a real eye-opening – and mature – moment of clarity for the three divergent men. This is well worth your time, even if you leave the characters in much the same shape you found them – but such is life.
CR@B Verdict: 
The CR@Bpendium 