With A Friend Like Harry

(2000) ***1/2

Michel and Claire are on holiday with their 3 children. They make a stop and while using the facilities Michel runs into Harry, an old high school mate. After some conversation Harry and his girlfriend Prune make plans to follow the family to their vacation house. All seems pleasant enough as Harry and Michel reminisce about the old days. Harry keeps going on about what a wonderful writer Michel was back then and wonders why he didn't stick with it. As the visit goes on Harry actually seems a bit obsessive about Michel's writing. The other strange thing about Harry is his mountainous generosity. So much so that it makes Michel and Claire uncomfortable. He buys them a brand new suv for cryin' out loud! However Harry has a bit of a problem, he's determined to eliminate anybody who stands in the way of Michel's true destiny, becoming the writer he should have been.

It's incredible and edible.

This film is a slow builder. I found it amusing that early on the suspense music would kick in when Harry was doing nothing suspenseful. Like grabbing and egg. It doesn't start getting suspenseful until after about an hour into it. When it does, it kinda catches you off guard and stays with it. I really enjoyed the film but much more importantly I made a discovery. Actor Laurent Lucas (Calvaire) bares a striking resemblance to our JSP. Observe.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I didn't notice this a bit while watching Calvaire but it was quite obvious in this film. It might have had a lot to do with the hairdo. You be the judge.