ME TWO/ LA PERSONNE AUX DEUX PERSONNES

France, 2008, 84 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Auteuil, Alain Chabat, Marina Fois.
Directed by Nicolas Charlet, Bruno Lavaine.

This is a very slight comedy, surprising to find Daniel Auteuil as the star, but he brings his acting skills to this offbeat role. Alain Chabat is a famous writer and director.

While the French title is explanatory, the English language is able to be much more succinct and very witty in its title.

We are introduced to Gilles, who had a successful singing career in the past and who hears his song on the radio in his car – which leads to his crashing into Jean- Christian. And so we begin a film of double identity, Gilles going into Jean- Christian, first of all going to the hospital where Gilles sees his wife, and regrets that the television news does not give much attention to his death. On the other hand, Jean- Christian goes to his office, caught up in dialogue with his new inner self, or caught up in confusion with the members of the company.

So, there is a lot of comedy in the dialogue between the two persons as well as the rather carefree singer finding himself trapped and wanting to help the rather buttoned up office worker. Also in the picture is another buttoned up work with the office, Muriel, Marina Fois.

While Gilles is trying to revive his singing career through Jean- Christian, even composing new songs, he actually transforms Jean- Christian, changing his clothes style, his hairstyle, his manner with people. This culminates in a presentation for the company executives, done in a musical style which gets everyone excited, clapping, dancing, and Jean- Christian getting a job in the company, directing its functions and enabling him to relate to Muriel.

There is a tongue in cheek postscript to the film, several accidents, and an increasing number of personalities inside!

1. A soufflé of a French comedy?

2. The theme of one person occupying another, a dead person in a live person, the dialogue between the two, two different lives?

3. The French settings, the city, the streets, car accidents, hospitals, offices and boardrooms, the music industry? The musical score – and the popular songs?

4. Introduction to Gilles Gabriel? Driving, singing, his own song, his past career, the girls at the red lights, phoning his wife? The policeman, giving him the finger, hurrying off, not seeing Jean- Christian? The crash, Jean- Christian surviving, Gilles dead, but living inside Jean- Christian?

5. The different voices – and the different scripts for each voice in the subtitles?

6. Jean Christian, his work in the company, company loyalty, the archives, going to the meeting, speaking out, his inner confusion, encounters with Muriel? In the office, the members of the staff? Muriel and her displeasure, to excite him to Bucharest?

7. Gilles, dead, his inner voice? Jean- Christian looking in a mirror? The dialogue between the two? Trying to get into the hospital, being rejected, talking to Gilles’ wife and her reaction?

8. Going to Jean- Christian’s home? Quiet, the meal, going to bed early, dreams? Gilles unable to sleep?

9. The plan, Gilles wanting to compose songs, instructing Jean- Christian, the notes, writing them down, the lyrics? Jean- Christian singing them? Gilles offering to help Jean- Christian in his work, finding girls, in his relationship with Muriel?

10. The ups and downs of daily life, Jean- Christian and his nightmare where the two of them went machine-gunning everyone in the company?

11. Jean- Christian, the change of clothes, the shops, his hairdo, people’s reaction?

12. The buildup to his presentation, the pop style, his singing, the rhythms, the lyrics, everybody becoming enthusiastic, clapping, dancing, his enthusiasm for the company? Muriel and her being taken aback?

13. Jean- Christian getting a new job, being in charge of company celebrations, praise of his enthusiasm and commitment?

14. Jean Christian, the phone message to Muriel, her turning up, looking more glamorous, the kiss? His awkwardness? Her being fired? Going home, the sexual encounter? His conversation with Gilles? Gilles and the explanation about his wife? And Jean- Christian visiting the house?

15. The next accident and the next person inside?

16. The months passing, the birth of the child, more and more accidents? And who was inside whom? The dialogue, and the time for the many personalities for keeping silent? A future?