The film French loverwhich arrives on Netflix this Friday, September 26, narrates the story of Abel Camara, the largest star in French cinema – and a little darker version of its interpreter, Omar Sy – and Marion (Sara Giraudeau) young divorced forced to chain the little jobs. They should never have met, but an accident in a restaurant will mark the beginning of a great love story.
If the story of French lover strongly resembles Love at first sight in Notting Hillit is in fact the adaptation of an Israeli series, A very important person or Working luxury Mood in VO. We feel these television roots in the script, multiplying the twists and turns and causing a soft belly in the middle of the film. But the essence of a comedy is especially in its stars, and on this, French lover does not disappoint. Omar Sy is obviously charming but it is above all the meaning of Sara Giraudeau’s comedy that shines, crossing the throes of celebrity with enough natural to transmit the gap to spectators. More importantly, alchemy works and we want to see this couple succeed.
Nina Rives: “In French loverlove at first sight is only the beginning ”
We were able to meet Sara Giraudeau and director Nina Rives to tell the genesis of French lover.
Even if French lover is adapted from an Israeli series, we cannot help but think of Love at first sight in Notting Hill. Or French lover Find its singularity?
Nina Rives : ” In Notting Hillwe remained mainly on the beginning of their history. The series, it explored more love life. In French loverlove at first sight is only the beginning, and we made the choice to show how a lovette can turn into love that lasts. Afterwards, the reference to Notting Hill is obvious. »»
What are your other references in terms of romantic comedy?
Nina Rives : “I was rocked with the references of the 1990s, the films of Richard Curtis and Rob Reiner. There are also older films, like Some love it hot or Let’s sing in the rainthat my dad had shown me. These are films that were already talking about the difference between shadow and light, between men and women. »»
Sara Giraudeau: “For me, these are the films like Pretty Womanor Four weddings and a burialwhere the protagonists try to find their place in a universe of which they do not master all the codes. That’s what I liked in my character of Marion. Especially since the gap she lives, by discovering the world of celebrities, I myself lived it, even if it is my environment. »»
Sara Giraudeau: “We quickly got along with Omar Sy”
Precisely, let’s talk about the characters, and in particular that of Omar Sy. How did he take shape?
Nina Rives : “Omar arrived very quickly on the project, and we were able to adapt Abel Camara to him by moving away as much as possible from Omar. His character is lonely and ultimately quite dark, while Omar is very solar. »»
Sara Giraudeau: “We quickly got along with Omar. We had a good laugh on the set. This agreement is what allows you to create alchemy and believe in the love story of our characters. »»
Romantic comedy is a very codified genre. How to place French lover ?
Nina Rives : “With producer Hugo Gélin, we wanted to respect the kind of romantic comedy, but looking for each scene at the” Twister “, to find the idea that creates the lag. We wanted to surprise the spectator by making him believe that he was going to get into slippers. And no, in fact, they are stilettos! (laughter) »
