3260. Priceless (2006)

Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Marie-Christine Adam

Director: Pierre Salvadori

Running Time: 106 mins

Priceless (Hors de prix) is a French film about a mild-mannered man who enters into a brief but fiery relationship with a call girl who mistakes him for a wealthy individual. Once the truth is revealed, however, their fortunes begin to grow closer together.

I really enjoyed this film. A funny romantic farce (always a strength of French cinema) that blends some clever themes, tongue-in-cheek humour, classic movie references, great performances and sumptuous style, Priceless is an absolute joy to watch, and far more than the silly fling it makes itself out as at first.

There’s a lot that makes Priceless a really fun romantic comedy, but it’s the lead performances from Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh that really makes it sing. Whether they’re all loved up or not, they make a great on screen pair, with all the chemistry and rat-a-tat to give this movie a really fun, zippy energy.

Director Pierre Salvadori mentioned the influence of the legendary Breakfast At Tiffany’s on this film, and it’s fair to say that we can see that influence all over Priceless. From the main characters’ occupations to a both enjoyable and emotionally engaging will-they-won’t-they romance, this is a worthy successor to Blake Edwards’ ’60s classic.

Audrey Tautou pulls off the likability and complexity of a Holly Golightly-type character, while Gad Elmaleh is the surprisingly cool everyman who’s a delight to root for through thick and thin, particularly as he attempts to win the affections of the seemingly unattainable Tautou.

Couple the pair’s performances with the way the film blends both farcical comedy and tongue-in-cheek satire, and you have a movie full of life and laughs, poking fun at the immorality of its main characters scrounging of the super rich while equally crafting them as lovable heroes who you only want to succeed.

And then there’s the style of it all. As much as it’s easy to say that the world these characters exist in is the definition of superficial excess, where not even love and relationships are genuine, the movie’s style is pretty irresistible.

From the clothes to the cars to the hotels and to the scenery, Priceless is a really gorgeous movie that absolutely looks the part, only drawing you in deeper to this world of glamour that allows you to examine the characters in just the way that the story intends.

Funny, slick, clever and even pleasantly romantic, Priceless is a thoroughly enjoyable watch from beginning to end. With great performances from its leads and gorgeous visual style, I had a wonderful time with Priceless, and that’s why I’m giving it a 7.7 overall.