Greetings again from the darkness. When we first meet Mr. Blake, he’s tidily packing a small suitcase and informing an anxious phone caller that he will not be attending the ‘Man of the Year’ award ceremony, even as he’s being introduced as the guest of honor in the background. We realize Blake is leaving London because he takes one last forlorn glance at his long-time apartment before heading “back to where it began.” It’s rare for the author of the source novel to adapt and direct a film, but that’s the situation here with Gilles Legardinier and his 2012 book, “Complètement cramé !” Co-writer Christel Henon helped with the screenplay.
The always interesting John Malkovich plays against type and stars as Andrew Blake in this French (with subtitles) comedy originally titled “Well Done!”. Having retired as a businessman, Blake is mourning the death of his wife (40 years) Diane, and heads to the stunning French estate where they first met. It’s there where he receives a less-than-warm welcome by Odile (a terrific Emilie Dequenne, CLOSE, 2022), the manager of the inn. A misunderstanding between the two, lands Blake in a cramped room and a ‘trial’ as the home’s butler. He does meet the estate’s owner, Nathalie Beauvillier (French acting legend Fanny Ardant), who has also lost her spouse and finds herself speaking to a mannequin wearing her husband’s suits, as she navigates her way through severe financial challenges.
Other key players include the parttime groundskeeper Philippe Magnier (Philippe Bas) and the parttime maid Manon (Eugenie Anselin). In a film where everyone gets their moment, Magnier and Blake playfully banter (Blake calls him a grumpy frog) after near-violence marks their initial meeting. Manon heeds Blake’s fatherly advice when she finds herself in a situation with a less-than-supportive boyfriend. There is also the irritating Madame Berliner (played by co-writer Christel Henon) as Nathalie’s quasi-friend, and finally, Mephisto, the chunky house cat to whom the hard-driving Odile shows some affection.
This is a whimsical, feel-good movie that never delves too deeply into the characters. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t relatable, as we do find ourselves pulling for each of them. At its best, this is a story of turning grief into something positive during the next phase of life. Mr. Blake becomes a most unexpected uniter – a man whose advice, guidance, and good intentions not only help each of these characters with their own situation, but also instigate a bonding within the staff. This becomes a ‘one good deed leads to another’ scenario, although the final Christmas setting and reunion feels a bit syrupy. On a sad note, Emilie Dequenne passed away earlier this year from cancer. She was only 43.
Will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on October 3, 2025
Movie Reviews from the Dark 