A Rezo Films release of an ADR Prods. and Chic Films presentation of an ADR Prods., Chic Films, France 3 Cinema, Rhone-Alpes Cinema, Les Prods. en Cabine production with participation of Canal Plus, CineCinema, La Region Rhone-Alpes, CNC. (International sales: Films Distribution, Paris.) Produced by Alain Rozanes, Pascal Verroust. Co-producer, Marco Cherqui. Directed by Marion Vernoux. Screenplay, Vernoux, Frederic Jardin, Thomas Bidegain.
With: Emmanuelle Beart, Edouard Baer, Atmen Kelif, Yves Verhoeven, Jean-Michel Tinivelli, Claude Peron, Jackie Berroyer, Marina Fois.
A Franco-Algerian nerd falls off a chair lift in the French Alps, skis into two resort guests and from there it's all downhill in "Bottoms Up." Stillborn comedy from once-promising Marion Vernoux is about as amusing as hypothermia with a side order of frostbite. Talented name cast, including Emmanuelle Beart and Edouard Baer, will lure customers initially but few will leave without waste-of-time hangovers.
A few days before New Year's, alcoholic physician Pierre-Marie (Baer) is dumped by his wife (Marina Fois), while hapless floozy Ines's (Beart) boyfriend of three months (Jean-Michel Tinivelli) sneaks out of their mountain hotel leaving a 12,000 euro ($16,500) bill. Once the dork (Atmen Kelif, in a thankless role) skis into Pierre-Marie and Ines landing all three in the hospital, the trio's paths continue to cross in contrived ways, with alcohol consumption a tedious constant. Although Baer is effortlessly convincing, there's nothing inherently funny about a loaded doctor obliging an observant Muslim to get sloshed. Show-off editing is an additional annoyance applied to a script with an OK beginning, a negligible middle and a lame ending.
Camera (color), Dominique Colin; editor, Camille Cotte; music, Bogue; art director, Francois Emmanuelli; costume designer, Virginia Vogwill; casting, Antoinette Boulat. Reviewed at MK2 Hautefeuille, Paris, Jan. 2, 2005. Running time: 91 MIN.
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