Original Title: Hors De Prix
Language: French
A fresh romantic comedy always feels good, and if it features Audrey Tautou then it’s like the icing on a super yummy cake. Pierre Salvadori’s Priceless is one of those delicacies which I thoroughly enjoyed savouring.
Priceless is the story of Irene (Audrey Tautou), a high maintenance gold digger who preys on old, lonely and most importantly rick men. She seduces and traps them to live a comfortable high life in expensive hotel suites. One night she mistakes the lowly bartender Jean (Gad Elmaleh) for a millionaire and drags him to bed. On learning the truth she leaves but her charms work their magic on him and the hapless Jean is absolutely smitten by her. He goes about following her and spending all his savings to keep up with her never ceasing demands of dresses, bags, champagnes, caviar etc.
The plot is run of the mill but the treatment and presentation is oh so classy. And Tautou! She charms you with both her performance and her looks. She is such a natural actress and here she does wonders to her character. An innocent dame one minute and heartless seductress the other, the viewer oscillates from loving her to feeling slight disdain for her, to sympathizing with her and back to loving her! Her facial expressions speak volumes. Had it not been Audrey playing this role, I would have easily hated this merciless bitch! And about her looks, well she is elegance, style, beauty and sexy personified. I don’t think she’s looked this stunning ever. Guys are definitely bound to feel the heat and some movement too seeing those necklines plunging all the way down to her navel. She is truly ‘Priceless’.
Gad with his innocent looks shows great charm and delivers a decent act and he shares a wonderful chemistry with Audrey.
On the surface level it is one of the farcical rom-coms, stylish and endearing. However every work of art has layers to it, it is just a matter of interpretation. Priceless is a mild commentary on the vanity of high class, twisted human values, materialism and the game of love.
In one of the scenes, after being dumped by her latest rich beau, Irene left with only the bikini she is wearing, sits shivering at poolside while the sun sets and the place changes from bathers to dinner jackets. In a moment she is reduced from a queen to a spectator. Tautou’s expressions are pitch-perfect here and you get a glimpse of the harsh realities.
In the other scene, Irene is choking down a spoonful of caviar that she actually hates but is teaching herself to appreciate it. "I'm sure when you like it," she says, exuding not-so-innocent hope, "it must be delicious."
Priceless is a light-hearted entertaining romantic comedy and is a delightful watch!
Rating: 7.2/10
