The French Film, WHITE LIES

WHITE LIES is the French version of THE BIG CHILL, only "trop;" too much!  Both films revolve around a motley group of friends. In the beginning of THE BIG CHILL, the friends are reunited over a funeral of one of their group.  In WHITE LIES, the friends are reunited at the end of the film by the funeral of their mutual friend.  Both films have an American song track that enhances the film.  But the French just seem to love more, eat more, drink more, fight more with a joie de vie we aspire to achieve.  The group revolves around Max, (Francois Clozet) France's answer to Dustin Hoffman and Oscar winner, Marion Cotillard.  Just before the friends are to leave for a month vacation together at Max's ocean front home, one of their group is in a serious motorcycle accident.  What a dilemma - should they remain in Paris or proceed with their vacation plans.  A compromise is reached where they will only go for 2 weeks.  During their 2 weeks, various pairings are made or broken.  While the escapades are humorous, there is a prevailing sense of stress & melancholy.  Tempers flare, bonds tested only to be mended at the end by their mutual mourning.  "As life is to be lived to the fullest and love in any form is never wrong."  I savored this film as I would a 4 hour French meal, trop, but worth the indulgence, now & then.