CHINESE PUZZLE (Casse-tete chinois) (2013)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Cédric Klapisch 
Cast: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Cécile De France, Sandrine Holt, Kelly Reilly
RunTime: 1 hr 58 mins
Rating: R21 (Some Homosexual Content)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website:  

Opening Day: 12 December 2013

Synopsis: Casse-tête chinois ("Chinese Puzzle") is a French film directed by Cédric Klapisch released in 2013. It's the third chapter of the Spanish Apartment trilogy after L'Auberge espagnole (2002) and Les Poupées russes (2005). We find Xavier, now 40 years-old, with Wendy, Isabelle and Martine - 15 years after the l'Auberge Espagnole and 10 years after Poupées Russes. Everything appears so simple but Xavier's life doesn't stop taking unexpected detours between Paris and New York. He looks for his way in this crazy mess to find his place as a man as much as his place as a father. And who knows, it may be this very madness of New York that will allow Xavier to resolve, finally, the Chinese puzzle that is his life.

Movie Review:

Not many of us would know about the Spanish Apartment trilogy directed by French filmmaker Cedric Klapisch. We have watched the series’ first two films The Spanish Apartment (2002) and Russian Dolls (2005), but truth be told, have not much recollection about what happened. What we remember though, is that the two films were easy to sit through and breezily told stories of people who we may already know in our everyday lives. There’re also two stars who made an impression – Romain Duris and Audrey Tautou.

Tautou probably doesn’t need much introduction. She’s everyone’s favourite big eyed French actress who brought Amelie to life in 2001 and became internationally recognised ever since. Duris caught our attention in 2005’s The Heart My Heart Skipped, where the 39 year old played a shady realtor torn between a criminal life and his desire to become a concert pianist. His charmingly gritty performance earned him a Lumiere Award for Best Actor, and nominations at other European film festivals. The actor then went on to star in popular titles like Heartbreaker (2010) and Populaire (2012).

The two come together for the third time in this 118 minute production, and needless to say, bring about that lovely European charm cinephiles love. We’ve gone on quite a bit about the movie and its two leading stars. But what about the plot? This third installment, like the two before it, may not leave much of an impression by the time the end credits roll, but that is a reflection of how life actually is. The details may be a blur at the end of the day, but it is a breeze that all of us have to sit through.

The story written by Klapisch basically follows Duris’ character as he ages gracefully to become a 40 year old man. With that come issues faced by 40 year olds, of course. He is already a father of two, and still finds life complicated. When the mother of his children (yup, there was no typical happy ending for the couple) moves to New York, he decides to go along, and an adventure on urban living ensues.

Besides Duris and Tautou (who plays his old flame appearing almost halfway into the movie) who deliver competent performances, other stars of this recommended movie make up a wonderful ensemble cast include Kelly Reilly (the English woman who is mother to Duris’ adorable children), Cecile de France (Duris’ old Belgian friend) and Sandrine Holt (de France’s hot Chinese American girlfriend). Each actress holds ground and has a comfortable screen presence, making the movie a relaxed viewing experience.

This is aided by the genuinely funny incidents that happen along the way, including a few gags involving Duris attempting to get a green card by marrying a local Chinese girl. The first two movies of this trilogy may have brought out how young people look at love, but this third movie closes the chapter nicely by showcasing how what modern living means for a more mature crowd, while retaining the zest of living life. 

Movie Rating:

(A breezy and zesty look at modern urban life, coupled with charming performances by a competent European cast)

Review by John Li