16/03/2010

Sold by Kinology to almost all territories across the world, Pascal Chaumeil’s Heartbreaker [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] (see news), which will be launched in French theatres tomorrow by Universal, has sparked enthusiasm from critics.

Carried by its frantic pace, subtle humour and the top-notch performances of its cast, including an outstanding Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis back in a lead role, rising star Julie Ferrier and excellent Belgian actor François Damiens, this Yume Quad Films production has everything it needs to win over audiences.

For Duris, who had never before appeared in a romantic comedy, Heartbreaker is a first. "I wanted to push the romantic side as far as possible (...) Like in popular British romantic comedies such as Notting Hill, where we want the protagonists to kiss, where we know they’re going to and yet we still feel moved when they do. With Pascal Chaumeil, we were constantly aiming for sincerity and not a collection of gags."

The actor continued: "Over the last few years, I’ve made a series of rather deep and dark films like The Beat That My Heart Skipped [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Persecution [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and Paris [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. Every time, I tried to see what I could bring of myself to the role and I spent time thinking in depth".

"I found myself doing this same preparation for a romantic comedy. I didn’t want Alex to be a 007 of flirting, who is sure of himself and picks up women too easily, with a smirk on his face. We had to make his character touching and show that he really struggles in his private life. I wanted people to understand that he works as a professional couple-wrecker to earn his crust."

Heartbreaker will be distributed in Italy by Lucky Red, in Germany by Square One, in the United Kingdom by Revolver, in Spain by A Contracorriente Films and in Benelux by Victory.

(Translated from French)