Up For Love – movie review

Up For Love could have been re-titled The Tall and Short of It, as much is made of a little guy dating a woman significantly taller than him. While comedic, the underlying story is all about the measure of a man, having nothing to do with his height.

When small time lawyer, Diane (Virginie Efira) gets a call from the man who has found the mobile phone she inadvertently left behind while having an argument with her ex-husband (and business partner), she is immediately intrigued and charmed. When she meets Alexandre (Jean Dujardin – The Artist), she is surprised, to say the least, that he is only 4 foot 5 inches tall. Nevertheless, his charming, easy-going and adventurous nature ensures the chemistry between them is strong. When one date turns into two and three, it becomes clear something special is happening. Still, Dianne has ongoing doubts about how this will look (pun totally intended) to her ex, her mother and to society, in general, that is undoubtedly watching and judging. So, there will be obstacles and she isn’t sure she is up for it (pun again intended).

Co-writer and director Laurent Tirard had seen a 2013 Argentinean film, which went along similar lines and he rewrote that and “Europeanised” it. Tirard was out to “talk about serious things with a light touch”. Of course the lead actor Jean Dujardin is a lot taller than his 4 foot 5 character demands, so they used a 4 foot 5 stand in and shot Durjardin from behind, when necessary. Dujardin is highly capable of going over the top, but Tirard asked him to be more reserved and show a sense of sobriety to endow the film with more emotion, which he did.

Tirard was inspired by director Frank Capra, “because he too flirted with fairy tales and he had a kindly view of people. He never showed any wickedness, just a lot of humanity.” He also acknowledges, though, that having been brought up on American and English romantic comedies, “there is also some Pretty Woman in there – for the modern fairy tale aspect – and a little of Bridget Jones, with pratfalls during the most intensely romantic scenes.”

Up for Love is essentially lighthearted fun. I found it strange to see Jean Dujardin at that height and quite frankly even though the filmmakers obviously resorted to special effects, these weren’t always convincing. In other words, there were several occasions when I didn’t believe it was real. The movie works on a combination of charm and shaming. There is no real complexity about the storyline. Nuance is largely done away with. What you see is what you get.

Being likeable, Diane and Alexandre ensure Up for Love is feel good entertainment from start to finish and there are a few smiles along the way. Efira plays nice but angst riddled most effectively, while Dujardin manages to exploit her awkwardness to the audience’s benefit. Perhaps a greater sense of sophistication wouldn’t have gone astray, but it doesn’t appear that was the look Tirard was going for.

So, as a bit of popcorn entertainment, Up for Love does its job. Rated M, it scores a 6 to 6½ out of 10.

Director: Laurent Tirard
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Virginie Efira, Cédric Kahn
Release Date: 1 December 2016
Rating: M

Alex First