Every Jack has a Jill

Director: Jennifer Devoldère
Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Justin Bartha, Billy Boyd and Jessica Paré
Releasing in cinemas: 1 July 2010
Rated: M

What were they thinking? I'm not sure who was responsible, but someone somewhere has lumbered this agreeable Canadian/French co-production with what surely must rank as one of the worst titles of all time. Why they didn't just stick with the original - and far more evocative - French title, Jusqu'à Toi (which translates as Until You), I can't understand. At least it's better than the enigmatic Canadian title, Shoe at Your Foot. Anyway, don't let any of that put you off though because Every Jack has a Jill is a superior romantic comedy with a little twist.

After a turn at the recent French Film Festival, the film is having a limited release in Australia; which is a shame because it's actually a lot better than some of the stuff at the cinema right now. One major reason to see this film if you can is because it features two of the rising stars of the cinema from both sides of Atlantic.

North America contributes Justin Bartha, who shot to prominence in The Hangover. From Europe comes Mélanie Laurent, the star of Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and the more recent The Concert. The pairing of these two apparently chalk-and-cheese actors actually works really well, with the two generating enough chemistry to make you believe they could be attracted to each other.

The plot concerns Bartha's character Jack, who opens a soft drink to discover (somewhat fortuitously) that he's won a trip to Paris. He hurries home to announce to girlfriend Liza (Jessica Paré) that her dream trip to the City of Lights is a reality; only to find that she's left him. Despite some trepidation on his part, Jack - urged on by best mate Rufus (Billy Boyd) makes his way to Paris. A series is mishaps however sees him lose his suitcase. It ends up in the hands of the lovely Chloe (Laurent), who (against her better judgment) opens it and becomes fascinated with its unseen and unknown owner. The remainder of the movie basically concerns how Jack and Chloe overcome the obstacles of distance and language to arrive at the inevitable romantic resolution.

What makes Every Jack has a Jill a cut above your regular romantic comedy is the intelligent and rather quirky script from first-time writer/director Jennifer Devoldère. It defies many rom-com conventions (the two protagonists, for example, aren't together on-screen for about 80% of the movie); which makes it worthy for that reason alone.

The whole thing looks great as cinematographer Arnaud Potier translates both the picture-postcard Paris locations and the more bucolic North American scenes (shot around Montreal) onto the screen with crispness and just a little whimsy. The action is complemented by a largely understated soundtrack curated by Gonzales.

Every Jack has a Jill isn't the most exciting film you'll ever see, but this is a film that's worth seeking out. While you might not be cheering at the end, but there will be few who won't be smiling.

David Edwards