I don't know if this movie is an intentional reference to "Breakfast at Tiffany's", but the signs are surely there. It comes as no surprise that it lack's Capote's sophistication. A comparison is superficial. If the criterion is in the two protagonist employing sex as something they do for a living, "Sonny" (2002) would be a better comparison.
The opening credits serve also as effective establishing shots: he (Gad Elmaleh) a hotel bartender who happens to be serving patrons by walking their dogs and she (Audrey Tautou) living on credit cards of her "sponsors", some old enough to be he grandfather. The all too familiar identity charade (she mistaking him for a rich hotel guest and he playing on for good sport) is mildly interesting. His hopeless attraction to her even after she finds out the truth is no less banal. The best part of the movie is what comes next, when he, in his financial desperation, is picked up by a rich widow, thus becoming her "equal", albeit a novice. Their mutual profession finally brings them to the same wavelength. I particularly like the scene where with a sentiment that is almost like a ten-year-old's excitement over a friend's new toy, she glows at his success in "earning" a very expensive watch from his "patron". After all, does she not deserve some credit too as his "technical adviser"? What follows is of course true romance, in its full bitter-sweetness and, finally, love triumphing over all.
Priceless is a light, trivial movie that wouldn't hurt if you have 100 minutes to kill, but certainly not in the same league as "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Elmaleh is likable though not particularly impressive. As to Tautou, "Audrey" is the only thing in common. Even the remotest notion that there is perhaps a smallest possibility of a comparison would be the biggest flattery she has even had. Thank you for your "not useful" votes, Tautou fans.
The opening credits serve also as effective establishing shots: he (Gad Elmaleh) a hotel bartender who happens to be serving patrons by walking their dogs and she (Audrey Tautou) living on credit cards of her "sponsors", some old enough to be he grandfather. The all too familiar identity charade (she mistaking him for a rich hotel guest and he playing on for good sport) is mildly interesting. His hopeless attraction to her even after she finds out the truth is no less banal. The best part of the movie is what comes next, when he, in his financial desperation, is picked up by a rich widow, thus becoming her "equal", albeit a novice. Their mutual profession finally brings them to the same wavelength. I particularly like the scene where with a sentiment that is almost like a ten-year-old's excitement over a friend's new toy, she glows at his success in "earning" a very expensive watch from his "patron". After all, does she not deserve some credit too as his "technical adviser"? What follows is of course true romance, in its full bitter-sweetness and, finally, love triumphing over all.
Priceless is a light, trivial movie that wouldn't hurt if you have 100 minutes to kill, but certainly not in the same league as "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Elmaleh is likable though not particularly impressive. As to Tautou, "Audrey" is the only thing in common. Even the remotest notion that there is perhaps a smallest possibility of a comparison would be the biggest flattery she has even had. Thank you for your "not useful" votes, Tautou fans.