Directed by Patrice Leconte
So, what actually defines a friend? Is it someone you spend a lot of time with, and does this include work colleagues? Is it someone you have known a long time or can you consider people who are recent additions to your life? Do friends have many things in common or can they have diametrically opposed opinions about certain things and still be friends? And what about those with whom we have intimate relationships? The question of what defines a friend is posed to Francois (Daniel Auteuil), a successful Parisian antique dealer who has absolutely no idea how friendless he is.
Responding to a bet from his business partner Catherine (Julie Gayet), Francois has 10 days to produce his best friend or lose an expensive Greek vase that he has just purchased. To help him in his search for at least one close friend Francios enlists the help of Bruno (Dany Boon), a likeable cab driver. The affable Bruno proceeds to give Francois tips on how to at least be friendly with people, but Francois is at pains to point out that being friendly with everyone is not the same as having a real friend.
Bruno himself is a complex character with unique idiosyncrasies and unfulfilled aspirations. Some might even go so far as to say that he is a tad weird, with his continual reference to obscure facts. As we get close to the two main characters and laugh at their foibles and their misguided attempts in the fine art of making friends, we become aware of their fundamental loneliness. The narrative is fairly predictable but there are many laughs along the way, particularly when Francois tries to win over complete strangers. *My Best Friend* takes us to the best of Paris and leaves us to reflect upon whom we consider to be our best friends … and why.
