Western Directed by Manuel Poirier Viewed at the San Francisco International Film Festival Western France that is....no swimming pools or movie stars! But wait, this looks familiar, it's yet another of those lighthearted french buddy movies...and though it does have some charming moments. Instead you could go directly to one of the more spunky prototypes of the genre: Bertrand Blier's "Going Places" with a very young Gerard Despardieu and Patrick Dewaere. Now that's a buddy movie! Anyway, in this much tamer of the genre, meet Paco the shoe salesman...picking up the hoboesque Nino, while hitch hiking... Nino then steals Paco's car and all his belongings. When Paco spots Nino on the street he beats the krap out of him, and then helps get him to the hospital... at which point they become fast friends. Meanwhile Pacos' new girlfriend insists on a 3 week seperation to test their love and so he decides to go on a road trip at Nino's suggestion... Most of the roadtrip highlights Paco's success with women and Nino's lack. They devise an amusing scam survey to find a woman for Nino, which almost works. When Paco finally gets back to his Marinette after the three weeks are up, he finds that his faithfulness has not been rewarded and instead he has been replaced. It is then Nino who helps Paco out with a place to stay (he has just moved in with a single mother with 10 kids, each from different father) while he recovers! Is this another happy ending? Filmography Manuel Poirier (b. Peru, 1954) Marion (1997), Antonio's Girlfriend (SFIFF 1992) Reviewed by Eric Michel, FilmCities | Country: France Year: 1997 Running Time: 121 Min. Producer: Maurice Bernart Cast Sergi Lopez, Sacha Bourdo, Elizabeth Vitali, Marie Matheron Editor: Yann Dedet Camera: Nara Keo Kosal Screenwriter: Manuel Poirier, Jean-Francois Goyet | | |