La Doublure (The Valet)

Smart. Funny. Not always predicable. Can I say anything nicer about a romantic comedy? This French production is first rate.

Gad Elmaleh does a wonderful job playing "Every Man". Few guys will not be able to relate to this character. Fewer will not be able to enjoy his predicament. Alice Taglioni and Virginie Ledoyen play his lovely counterparts in the mock tryst.

Kristin Scott Thomas, a personal favorite, is delicious as the, omniscient, powerful wife of the blundering CEO played by Daniel Auteuil. Fantastic supportive cast.

If you enjoy French scenery, this movie may not be a good choice. It could have been shot at any studio in the world. But for you purists, it is shot entirely on location. Enjoy!

Yes, it's in French with subtitles. Read every word and enjoy the voices. Call it a mini-vacation?

Watch this with someone who needs to be reminded how good they have it right where they are.

Easy Virtue

Which stereotypes are more correct here - the brash Americans or the stiff squeaky Brits? Either way this is a fun movie to watch. Don't expect too much in the way of cinema magic or brilliant plot lines. But you can expect some fun surprises and a few great one-liners.

Jessica Biel and Ben Barnes are interesting together, but I found the combo hard to "buy" from the beginning. By the end of the movie I understood why. The relationship of far more interest is that of Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth and Jessica Biel's characters. All do a great job with their roles.

As period romances go, this is okay. As romantic comedies go, it's still just okay. There are not that many period romantic comedies. And how many out there are based on Noel Coward plays? All in all a pretty clever story told in a fairly fun way.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoys a still upper crust British accent with their popcorn and tea.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

What a surprise! This is not a half-bad romantic comedy. There is even a pretty good moral to the story. The music is fun, the clothes are great, and all the characters are believable.

Isla Fisher pulls off the lead role of her career (so far) here. This minx who stole our hearts in Wedding Crashers does it again as a talented writer with a urge to splurge. I'm told she captures the book's character perfectly.

I even enjoyed the narration. To work well in a movie a narration has to be well-timed and delivered perfectly. This movie is a good example. There was not too much and not too little.

A fairly deep line-up of stars make appearances as well: Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and John Lithgow all show up and do not disappoint as New Yorkers of one ilk or another. Even Lynn Redgrave has a memorable scene.

And speaking of scenes, please rent this movie just to watch the first dance scene at a Miami salsa club. Pure comic genius. Lucille Ball would be proud of this little Redhead.

Watch this movie with someone who loves to use credit cards.

Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne)

This is a very good story told in a very interesting way. Yes, you have to read the movie unless you understand French, but it is well worth it. Whats the story? Eight years after his wife is murdered, she sends him an email.

This movie is as much a who-done-what as it is a who-done-it. What the writer giveth the writer taketh away. Never be too sure that you know whats going on, or what went on in the past. But make sure to keep track of which character is which. And don't even try to guess what will happen next until the very end, which I admit is very predictable.

Unless you are a fan of French cinema, the only face you may recognize is Kristin Scott Thomas. And yes, she speaks French perfectly through the whole movie. The rest of the cast is wonderful though. The main character looks vaguely like Dustin Hoffman.

Watch this movie with someone who will help you keep track of who's who.