Profession: Heartbreaker-L’arnacoeur (2010)

Directed by: Pascal Chaumeil | 105 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis, Julie Ferrier, François Damiens, Héléna Noguerra, Andrew Lincoln, Jacques Frantz, Amandine Dewasmes

There seems to be no end to the successful career of Romain Duris for the time being. The attractive Frenchman started his acting career at a young age when he was discovered by a casting director for the lead role in ‘Le péril jeune’, a film by Cédric Klapisch. Duris has often worked with this internationally acclaimed director, but also with big names such as Tony Gatlif and Jacques Audiard. In ‘Profession: Heartbreaker’ (‘L’arnacoeur’, 2010) by Pascal Chaumeil, Duris plays a role in a romantic comedy for the first time. His opponent is none other than Vanessa Paradis. The beautiful Franςaise has been working as a singer since the eighties. Who doesn’t know her fragile “Joe Le Taxi” or the cheerful summer song “Be My Baby”? But her acting career also has many highlights, such as the César she received for ‘Noce blanche’ as well as the nomination for this prestigious film award for ‘La fille sur le pont’ (1999). However, the petite actress does not play many roles, but it is nice to see her at work again in ‘Profession: Heartbreaker’.

Romain Duris is Alex, the heartthrob from which the film takes its title. Together with his sister (Julie Ferrier) and her husband Marc (Franςois Damiens), he has set up a fairly thriving business that deals with ending relationships. According to Alex, women in a relationship fall into three categories: the happy woman; the unhappy woman who is aware of this state, and the unhappy woman who does not know she can get better. The latter group of women is the target group of Alex’s company: he is often hired by family, friends or colleagues who don’t have the heart to tell the lady in question what a bastard her boyfriend really is. At the beginning of the film we see a compilation of Alex’s successful career. Seen in this way, his work is a breeze: he follows a fixed pattern, uses the same one-liners and every lady, however different, reacts the same. Mission accomplished.

Too easy of course, it’s high time Alex was challenged again. Enter Juliette (Vanessa Paradis): A wealthy aunt about to marry her attractive, successful, all-perfect English fiancé Jonathan (Andrew Lincoln), who adores her as much as she adores him. Yet Juliette’s father (Jacques Frantz) wants the marriage to go off. Despite the fact that it goes against Alex’s principles – after all, Juliette and Jonathan are the textbook example of a happy couple – he accepts the assignment and the challenge. The direct reason for this is that he can no longer afford his luxurious lifestyle, or rather: he hadn’t been able to for some time. And those creditors won’t go away on their own.

The plot of ‘Profession: Heartbreaker’ is – apart from Alex’s profession – not very original or deep, but the convincing chemistry between the two protagonists makes the film worthwhile. The need for the two almost lovers to come together is similar to that of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in ‘Notting Hill’ or the Prime Minister (also Hugh Grant) and his great love in ‘Love Actually’. You just give them a happily ever after. Chaumeil weaves the usual ingredients of a cream bowl into a charming, light-hearted, smooth film, and knows how to get the most out of the locations. The story largely takes place in the fashionable Monte Carlo and that produces breathtaking pictures. Julie Ferrier and Franςois Damiens are equally delightful in their roles, especially Damiens providing a comedic touch. ‘Profession: Heartbreaker’ continues to fascinate, from start to finish. Because it never gets too sweet, and because the film contains some nice action scenes, the film is also extremely suitable for those who normally walk around this genre with a big bow. For lovers of the eighties classic ‘Dirty Dancing’ it is a must in any case.