Directed by Lucien Jean-Baptiste(Il a déjà tes yeux, La Deuxième Étoile), On fait quoi maintenant? is a charming comedy that takes a light-hearted, humorous look at the challenges of career transition after the age of 50. With a stellar cast that includes Isabelle Nanty(Les Tuche), Gérard Darmon(Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra) and Lucien Jean-Baptiste himself, this comedy promises to make you laugh while touching you with its look at personal evolution at an age when everything seems played out.
At the age of 58, Alain(Gérard Darmon) is suddenly made redundant from his job, a blow that forces him to question himself. Refusing to give up, he decides to set up his own company to prove to himself and others that he's still capable of reinventing himself. His idea? To enter the childcare sector. He recruits two unlikely acolytes: Véronique(Isabelle Nanty), a depressive former colleague who's been stuck in melancholy for years, and Jean-Pierre Savarin(Lucien Jean-Baptiste), a game-show host on the wane. Together, they attempt to make their mark in a field that is completely foreign to them, with unexpected results.
On fait quoi maintenant? is aimed at fans of social comedies and feel-good films like Le Grand Bain and La Finale. This comedy deals humorously with the difficulties of retraining and the search for meaning at an age when society often tends to sideline people. The film's originality lies in its light, positive treatment of serious subjects such as unemployment, depression and the need to feel useful. Fans of works such as Les Tuche and Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu? will find the same comic dynamic here, with endearing, offbeat characters in hilarious situations.
On fait quoi maintenant? promises to be a refreshing comedy that takes an offbeat, optimistic approach to career transition. With a trio of talented actors, led by Isabelle Nanty and Gérard Darmon, this funny and touching adventure is sure to win over audiences. Don't miss this absurd yet heartwarming story in cinemas from October 2, 2024.
Our opinion on On fait quoi maintenant? (2024):
On fait quoi maintenant? directed by Lucien Jean-Baptiste, is a comedy that tackles a subject little explored in cinema: professional retraining after the age of 50. Featuring a trio of talented actors - Isabelle Nanty, Gérard Darmon and Jean-Baptiste himself - the film seeks to combine humor and reflection on second chances. However, critics were divided, oscillating between appreciating the film's benevolent comedy and lamenting its lack of originality.
Lucien Jean-Baptiste, in the role of Alain, a man laid off in his fifties who decides to set up his own business, aptly embodies the doubts and enthusiasm of a belated reconversion. He is accompanied by Isabelle Nanty in top form, delivering biting lines with disconcerting naturalness, particularly in her interactions with Alain's wife, where she expresses her frustrations without a filter. The film is packed with comic moments based on their exchanges, including one of the most memorable lines: "Can you shut up, because you keep cutting him off and it's not interesting what you're saying."
Gérard Darmon plays Jean-Pierre Savarin, a former star of the TV show"Juste 1 question", now reduced to living in the shadow of his former glory. This character, both pathetic and charismatic, stands out for his mixture of pretension and megalomania, traits which, beneath the humor, reveal a fallen man, forced to live off his father after losing his entire fortune.
With his back against the wall, Jean-Pierre agrees to help Alain in his professional reconversion by taking on the role ofinfluencer, an ironic twist for a man who, once at the top, finds himself forced to exploit his past celebrity to sell Alain's project. This dynamic between the two characters creates moments that are both funny and touching. Darmon, with his natural charisma and ability to play slightly exuberant characters, adds a comic touch by playing on the contradictions of a man too proud to admit his downfall, but ultimately willing to put his ego aside to help a friend.
Jean-Pierre Savarin thus becomes a key figure in the story, his journey aligning with the film's central theme: reinventing oneself, even when all seems lost. He embodies, in his own way, the need to adapt in a constantly changing world, while retaining a dose of humor and second-degree humor.
Basically, the film delivers a positive message about the ability to reinvent oneself, even at an age when many might fear there are no more opportunities. This benevolence, coupled with accessible humor, enables On fait quoi maintenant? to reach a wide audience, especially those who can identify with this pivotal period of life.
However, this is where one of the main criticisms lies: the film, while sympathetic, lacks surprise. The screenplay is considered predictable, following situations often seen in other comedies about the world of work and retraining. Alain's journey, though moving at times, follows a classic structure, where obstacles seem to be resolved too easily at times, limiting the story's dramatic and comic impact.
Some viewers would have hoped for a more in-depth treatment of the theme, an underlying critique of the comic quiproquos, particularly on the social realities faced by people from diverse backgrounds. One of Alain's lines, "Do you know what it's like to be black in France? And from Martinique? Always compared to Franky Vincent", raises an important question, but unfortunately remains on the surface, without any real development.
Like any comedy, On fait quoi maintenant? relies heavily on misunderstandings, which are well exploited here to generate humor. Alain's situation, between his entrepreneurial project and family tensions, is the scene of amusing misunderstandings, reinforced by lively, well-crafted dialogue. These light-hearted moments are reinforced by the actors' group dynamics, and Isabelle Nanty's acerbic retorts add a piquant touch to the film.
Despite this, some critics regret that the film falls into a certain facile cliché, both in its depiction of the mid-life crisis and in its handling of cultural and social stereotypes. While the intention is to entertain, there's a certain disappointment at the lack of narrative risk-taking.
On fait quoi maintenant? is a pleasant comedy which, despite its weaknesses, manages to move viewers and make them smile thanks to its solid cast and well-written dialogue. The film conveys a hopeful message about the ability to reinvent oneself at any age, while offering moments of levity through amusing misunderstandings. The film is primarily aimed at those seeking optimistic, feel-good entertainment, without worrying too much about a deep exploration of its themes.
October 2024 cinema releases: Films and times near you
Discover all the films in theaters in October 2024 with showtimes near you. Don't miss a single movie! [Read more]
Don't know what to watch? To find your way around the endless catalogs of streaming platforms, rely on our guide! Netflix, Disney +, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Max... Here's a quick roundup of films and series to watch right now. [Read more]
Feeling like curling up in front of the TV today? We've got the week's releases on your favorite streaming platforms, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+! [Read more]
October 2024 cinema releases: Films and times near you
New films and series on streaming platforms in November 2024
Streaming: what are we watching this Sunday November 17, 2024 on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ platforms?
