Love is overrated (2025) by Mourad Winter: A Witty and Heartfelt Rom-Com
- dailyentertainment95
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Short Summary: The Antidote to Love
A love-averse man, reeling from the loss of his best friend and mentor, decides to re-enter the dating world and unexpectedly falls for a woman who challenges his cynical view on romance. Anis, a man who has long been "diagnosed" as inept with women, has a carnal existence of absolute calm. Three years to the day after the death of his best friend and mentor, Isma, he finds the courage to go out and meet new people. He meets Madeleine, an energetic and direct woman, who forces him to confront his fears and the belief that "love is overrated." The film is a refreshing romantic comedy that uses humor to explore themes of grief, healing, and the unexpected nature of love.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35420252/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/lamour-cest-surcote (France), https://www.universcine.com/films/l-amour-c-est-surcote (France)
L'amour c'est surcoté (2025) by Mourad Winter: A Witty and Heartfelt Rom-Com
Short Summary: The Antidote to Love
A love-averse man, reeling from the loss of his best friend and mentor, decides to re-enter the dating world and unexpectedly falls for a woman who challenges his cynical view on romance. Anis, a man who has long been "diagnosed" as inept with women, has a carnal existence of absolute calm. Three years to the day after the death of his best friend and mentor, Isma, he finds the courage to go out and meet new people. He meets Madeleine, an energetic and direct woman, who forces him to confront his fears and the belief that "love is overrated." The film is a refreshing romantic comedy that uses humor to explore themes of grief, healing, and the unexpected nature of love.
Detailed Summary: Healing from Loss
A coming-of-age story for a man who has given up on love, only to find it in the most unlikely place.
The film centers on Anis (Hakim Jemili), a shy and emotionally guarded man who has had little success in his romantic life.
The catalyst for his journey is the third anniversary of the death of his best friend, Isma, a charismatic and confident man who had been Anis's guide in all things, including love.
Pushed by a desire to finally move on, Anis ventures out and meets Madeleine (Laura Felpin), a woman who is his complete opposite: spontaneous, hyper-communicative, and unapologetically herself.
Their relationship unfolds in a way that challenges Anis's cynical worldview, forcing him to confront not only his fear of commitment but also the unresolved grief from losing his friend.
The film weaves a mix of witty banter and deeply emotional moments, as Anis and Madeleine's relationship becomes a path to healing for both of them.
Director's Vision: The Rom-Com, Deconstructed
Mourad Winter, a comedian and writer, brings a fresh and authentic voice to a well-trodden genre.
Mourad Winter, who also wrote the novel on which the film is based, brings a personal and comedic sensibility to his directorial debut.
His vision is to create a romantic comedy that avoids clichés and feels authentic and grounded in modern reality. The title itself, which translates to "Love is overrated," signals a desire to deconstruct the genre.
He uses a mix of sharp, comedic dialogue and sincere emotional beats to tell a story about love that is both funny and touching.
The film, with a budget of 6.1 million euros, is noted for its ability to balance lighthearted humor with more difficult themes like grief and emotional vulnerability.
The director's background as an actor and comedian is evident in the film's fast pace and excellent comedic timing, which he extracts from his cast.
Themes: Grief, Vulnerability, and Healing
A comedy that delves into the more serious aspects of finding love after loss.
The Weight of Grief: The film’s central narrative is triggered by the protagonist's unresolved grief over the death of his best friend. The film explores how love and connection can be a powerful tool for healing.
Overcoming Emotional Barriers: Anis's journey is one of learning to be vulnerable and open to love, despite his past failures and fears. The film is a testament to the power of letting go of your emotional defenses.
The Antidote to Cynicism: The film directly addresses the idea that love is "overrated" and challenges this cynical view through the genuine and meaningful connection that develops between the two main characters.
Modern Dating and Social Anxiety: The film touches on the social anxiety and awkwardness that can come with modern dating, making it a relatable story for a contemporary audience.
Key Success Factors: A Winning Formula and Cast
The film's success is attributed to its sharp writing, strong performances, and fresh take on a classic genre.
Strong Lead Performances: The chemistry between leads Hakim Jemili and Laura Felpin is a major selling point. Both are well-known comedians in France, and their natural rapport and comedic timing are key to the film's success.
A Witty and Relatable Script: The film's screenplay, adapted from the director's own novel, is praised for its humor and emotional honesty. The dialogue is sharp, and the situations feel authentic.
Critical Recognition: The film's early win at the Alpe d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival gave it a strong start, signaling that it is a film with both comedic and emotional merit.
A Familiar but Fresh Genre: The film takes a beloved genre—the romantic comedy—and gives it a unique spin, making it appealing to both fans of the genre and those looking for something new.
Awards and Nominations: A Festival-Winning Debut
The film was recognized early on at a prestigious French film festival. L'amour c'est surcoté received a Special Jury Mention at the Alpe d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival, a significant honor for a film in its genre.
Critics Reception: A Praised Comedy with a Few Reservations
The film is generally well-received, with critics praising its humor and emotional depth, but some note a few narrative flaws.
Première Magazine: The review praises the film as a "romantic comedy like no other," stating that it "manages to never lose sight of emotion while multiplying the excellent jokes at an incredible pace."
Le Monde: This review acknowledges the film's "undeniable sincerity in addressing difficult themes with lightness," but also mentions a "problematic 'male gaze'" and a "disturbing self-indulgence" in some parts of the film.
Overall Summary: The critical consensus is that the film is a fresh and surprisingly deep romantic comedy. While some critics found a few of its moments to be a little too familiar or self-indulgent, the overall reception is positive, with most praising its humor, heart, and the strong performances of its cast.
Reviews: A Crowd-Pleaser and a Critic's Contender
Reviewers find the film to be an entertaining and surprisingly poignant watch.
Madame Figaro: The review highlights the "whimsical couple" of Laura Felpin and Hakim Jemili, noting the film's ability to be a "tender and funny" story about love.
Siritz.com: This review praises the film's ability to be both "an original romance" and a "funny comedy," while also showcasing a "unique visual style."
Overall Summary: The film is seen as a success that is both a crowd-pleaser and a film that critics can appreciate for its artistic integrity. It is praised for its ability to balance sharp humor with genuine emotion, making it a film that is both entertaining and meaningful.
Why to Watch This Movie: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Rom-Com
Watch it for its witty dialogue, great performances, and unique take on a classic genre.
For a Fresh Take on Romance: If you’re tired of predictable romantic comedies, this film offers a more realistic and grounded look at love and dating.
A Great Duo: The comedic chemistry between Hakim Jemili and Laura Felpin is infectious and makes the film a joy to watch.
A Story with Heart: The film's exploration of grief and healing gives it a surprising emotional depth, making it more than just a light comedy.
Movie Trend: Comedian-Led Romantic Comedy
The film follows the trend of romantic comedies starring and often directed by stand-up comedians and humorists. This trend has seen a rise in films that use the specific comedic timing and improvisational skills of comedians to create a more natural and funnier on-screen dynamic. These films often blend raw, witty humor with sincere emotional storytelling.
Social Trend: The Rise of Anti-Romance
The film taps into the social trend of audiences rejecting traditional, idealistic portrayals of love. The title itself, "Love is Overrated," is a reflection of a growing cynicism towards the traditional romantic fairy tale. The film appeals to a generation that values authenticity and real-world struggles over an idealized version of love, and it finds humor and beauty in the awkward, messy reality of dating.
Final Verdict: A Refreshing and Hilarious Film
A genuinely funny and surprisingly moving film that is a welcome addition to the romantic comedy genre. L'amour c'est surcoté is a success because it's so much more than its genre. While it delivers all the laughs and charm you'd expect from a romantic comedy, it also provides an honest and compassionate look at love, grief, and emotional growth. Mourad Winter has delivered a strong directorial debut that is both a hilarious crowd-pleaser and a heartfelt character study, making it a highly recommended film for anyone looking for a fresh take on love.
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