Director Patrice Leconte is no stranger to the art of buddy-movies. Though it’s worth noting his work is as far removed from the likes of Lethal Weapon as a buddy movie can be. Consider previous titles like Man on the Train and The Hairdresser’s Husband for meditation on unlikely couplings. In many regards, My Best Friend is a natural extension of a theme close to his heart, though here explored in a more contemplative frame of mind. It pits a lonely art dealer with a friendly taxi driver when the former, François (Auteuil in a significant stretch for the affable actor), is chided by his colleagues for having no friends. Outwardly successful yet inwardly clouded, it seems that the cold and canny dealer is indeed, alone. François proves it rather quickly in a series of ludicrous engagements in which he tries to secure a new best friend, if only long enough to prove his colleagues wrong.

Leconte doesn’t take this fairly predictable story far from its logical conclusion, though a plot turn involving an ancient Greek vase is a fine moment. He seems more interested in the small details, the human elements that keep his story confined, yet tangible. Like François’ relationship with a cheerful cabbie whom he hires as a tutor in the art of friendship. Though as Bruno comments, being friendly with everyone is the same as having no friends at all. Thus they’re placed in the same bin, his unfulfilled life lending pathos to the story as both characters learn a little about each other, and more about themselves.

My Best Friend is not going to rock any ones world any time soon; yet it is an engaging comic-drama which explores the plight of lonely men, a subject seldom aired in cinemas. With strong performances in lead roles and a haunting character in Bruno, Leconte delivers a film of distinction, if one that’s not particularly distinctive.

// COLIN FRASER