Harry He's Here To Help - A review
February 6th 2007 06:14
This is a gem of a film that I discovered on World Movies on the weekend. It is reminiscent of another French film I loved, Feux Rouges (Red Lights). Red Lights is based on a thriller by the Belgian author George Simenon which was originally set in the United States. The parallel themes that exist between the two films are that the suspense is psychological, not physical, and the scenes between husband and wife, both of them becoming more frustrated and angry at each other, are beautifully written and acted. But I won’t talk any more about Red Lights, as that could be another post.
Harry He’s Here To Help (2000)is written by Dominik Mollin who previously wrote Lemming, a film suffused with black humour in 2005. Lemming is another film that’s caught my attention and is on my to-see list. But again, that’s a different post.
Michel (Laurent Lucas) is travelling with his family through France to visit his parents. They stop off for a toilet break and Michel bumps into an old acquaintance from school, Harry (Sergi Lopez), whom he does not remember. The encounter takes place in the public toilet and is tense and awkward. They say goodbye and Michel thinks that’s the last time he will see Harry.
He returns back to his car where he and his wife Claire (Mathilde Seigner) are stressed, and his kids are constantly crying and moaning in the heat as their car has no air conditioning. Harry pops up again, espousing that ‘every problem has its solution’, and he puts this philosophy into action and he offers to drive the kids in his car, following Michel to their country retreat. Michel eventually agrees to this, and the kids travel in calm and comfort with Harry and his attractive girlfriend Plum (Sophie Guillemin), back to the rundown country house that Michel and Claire have been restoring for months and is a source of much stress.
At supper Harry recites a poem that Michel wrote when he was at school, Claire is surprised at this hidden secret of her husbands, and Harry is overtly enthusiastic about Michel's writing, and tries to convince Michel that he should continue with it. The tension between the wife and husband is heightened by presence of Harry entering their life.
Michel and his wife offer for Harry and Plum to stay the night. The next day Harry continues his dedication to making Michel happy, by trying to remove as many obstacles from his life as he can, starting with buying him a new car. Soon after Michel's parents come to visit, Harry is disgusted by Michel's parents and the way they treat him, he and Plum drive at full speed away from the farmhouse to the nearest hotel. Later Harry fixes it by killing off Michel's parents, expecting him to feel the freedom he felt after his father died.
It seems that Harry will stop at nothing to try and make Michel happy, and to convince him to take up his writing again. Michel eventually bows to this pressure and starts slowly scribbling away hidden in the bathroom.
I’ll leave the storyline there in the hope that you might see the film yourself.
The film is an effective depiction of a charming sociopath who inveigles his way into a stable relationship and wreaks havoc through his warm smile that disguises fiendish intentions.
Harry He’s Here To Help (2000)is written by Dominik Mollin who previously wrote Lemming, a film suffused with black humour in 2005. Lemming is another film that’s caught my attention and is on my to-see list. But again, that’s a different post.
Michel (Laurent Lucas) is travelling with his family through France to visit his parents. They stop off for a toilet break and Michel bumps into an old acquaintance from school, Harry (Sergi Lopez), whom he does not remember. The encounter takes place in the public toilet and is tense and awkward. They say goodbye and Michel thinks that’s the last time he will see Harry.
He returns back to his car where he and his wife Claire (Mathilde Seigner) are stressed, and his kids are constantly crying and moaning in the heat as their car has no air conditioning. Harry pops up again, espousing that ‘every problem has its solution’, and he puts this philosophy into action and he offers to drive the kids in his car, following Michel to their country retreat. Michel eventually agrees to this, and the kids travel in calm and comfort with Harry and his attractive girlfriend Plum (Sophie Guillemin), back to the rundown country house that Michel and Claire have been restoring for months and is a source of much stress.
At supper Harry recites a poem that Michel wrote when he was at school, Claire is surprised at this hidden secret of her husbands, and Harry is overtly enthusiastic about Michel's writing, and tries to convince Michel that he should continue with it. The tension between the wife and husband is heightened by presence of Harry entering their life.
Michel and his wife offer for Harry and Plum to stay the night. The next day Harry continues his dedication to making Michel happy, by trying to remove as many obstacles from his life as he can, starting with buying him a new car. Soon after Michel's parents come to visit, Harry is disgusted by Michel's parents and the way they treat him, he and Plum drive at full speed away from the farmhouse to the nearest hotel. Later Harry fixes it by killing off Michel's parents, expecting him to feel the freedom he felt after his father died.
It seems that Harry will stop at nothing to try and make Michel happy, and to convince him to take up his writing again. Michel eventually bows to this pressure and starts slowly scribbling away hidden in the bathroom.
I’ll leave the storyline there in the hope that you might see the film yourself.
The film is an effective depiction of a charming sociopath who inveigles his way into a stable relationship and wreaks havoc through his warm smile that disguises fiendish intentions.
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Comment by katyzzz
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katyzzz
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
have a great one
ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
How are you? Thanks for your comments. I've been enjoying your travel adventures on your blog.
Yes, this is a compelling film, like you said it's different from Hollywood films where the suspense is heavy-handed and obvious. This was subtle in its eeriness.
I really liked The Motorcycle Diaries too. Seeing films from another country really gives you an insight into their culture and history doesn't it?
Byee
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
I am very well thanks for asking. Hope you are the same
I remember watching a French Film Festival when I was in Senior School and thinking - wow! How interesting to see how other people live. Unfortunately they are not easy to find which is a real bummer. I picked up the Ghandi movie this weekend in a sale - look forward to a relaxing stretch infront of the DVD player on Sunday, I have been wanting to see it for years. That is also the thing - you see people paying riduculous amounts of money for movies that are just replicas of hundreds made before it and the ones with the real stories to tell lie in the sale piles.....hhhhmmmm!
Have a great day
ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm well too, about to toddle off and see Stranger than Fiction as it's my day off and I have a cinema voucher
I've never thought of the bargain DVD bins in that way....that's often true....sometimes it pays to spend more time looking than just grabbing what's in front of us.
I wonder what that French film was that you saw at school....
I've never seen Gandhi, but it's one of those films that I feel like that I ought to see. It sounds like you have a very relaxing Sunday planned..has the noisy flatmate moved out?
Byeee
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I reckon you would too!
It was the title that first grabbed my attention... I thought it was going to be a soppy love film with an altruistic protagonist that saves the day, but I was wrong....thankfully...
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Unfortunately I cannot rememeber the names of the French Films - I wish I did, there were three of them - it was just exciting to spend 6 hours in a cinema instead of being at school - if all lessons were conducted like that I would be a genius
My guest has gone thank goodness, everything is clean and sparkly again and smells like it should...instead of how it shouldn't. Pumba is in the hospital and getting fixed as we speak so the world is righting itself in a few ways
Enjoy the film. Enjoy the day.
ash
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
The thing I enjoy about foreign films is not only an insight into a foreign culture, but they have a way of telling stories through film that you just don't get in English-speaking films. They are not afraid to take risks or ask a bit of their audience.
I missed the session I was hoping to catch of Pan's Labyrinth last night - but that looks like a case in point!
I look forward to the review of Stranger Than Fiction ;o)
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
The thing I enjoy about foreign films is not only an insight into a foreign culture, but they have a way of telling stories through film that you just don't get in English-speaking films. They are not afraid to take risks or ask a bit of their audience.
I missed the session I was hoping to catch of Pan's Labyrinth last night - but that looks like a case in point!
I look forward to the review of Stranger Than Fiction ;o)
Comment by Optomistic Opportunism
Japanese Jazz Funk
Optomystic Opportunism
Harry's... was interesting, if somewhat edgy. The relationship between him and his girlfriend being "animal" - istic possibly said something about him, as well as the reason he eats eggs every night.
Do we really need to up the sperm count?
I recommend Secret Agents and Bon Voyage for other, more recent, good French flicks.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, that part of the story was quirky wasn't it? I loved Harry's quote when he was sitting at the table in the middle of the night:
'I read you should eat an egg yolk after every orgasm. It's good for your virility'.
I found this info the BFI website:
'His (the director) persistent exploration of otherwise ordinary objects is richly suggestive, from his use of bathroom mirrors to his symbolic riffs on the theme of fertility through repeated images of eggs. If Harry can be seen as an essay on the fear of fatherhood and its sacrifices - the pram in the hall versus the promise of the pen - its conclusion is straightforward: you have to break a few oeufs to make an oeuvre.'
Interesting!
I haven't heard of the two French films you mentioned so I'll look them up, thanks for the info.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments and for visiting my other posts as well. Sorry I haven't replied yet, I'm a bit behind with my correspondence, but I will get there
Yes, I agree that foreign films tend to take more risks than more mainstream films. Hence, part of my zeal for seeing them.
I think Cache (Hidden) is a good example of a film asking something from its audience. Have you seen that one?
I haven't got around to Labyrinth either, but I'm looking forward to that. It would be great to hear what you think of it after you've seen it.
Byeee
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
When I saw this at the cinema a few years back it blew me away. It doesn't lose anything on DVD.
It gently lures you in under false pretences then painfully plays out like chinese water torture...throwing you of gaurd with its tender nature and inherint human comedy.
A great film all should see.
In the same vein Michael Haneke's Funny Games is an equal contender in the genre.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's great to hear from you, I was wondering if you had seen it too, being the film maestro that you are. I'm glad you thought so much of it too. I feel like I just accidentally fell into finding such a gem. I love that happening.
Your description of it is so apt. It's fantastic.
I haven't seen Funny Games, I just looked it up and love the sound of it.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Wendi
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It does have a similar vibe...it's one of those atmospheric films where the suspense subtly climbs and climbs...I'd definitely recommend it.
I just saw Pan's Labyrinth and noticed that the Captain is Harry from this film. What a clever chappie, he speaks French, English and Spanish.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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I'm not usually a big fan of french films, but I may just give this one a peek, on your say so.
It sounds intriguing, maybe even start a new trend of viewing for me?
Lilla...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's good to see you as usual.
I love French films and this was an accidental finding which was even more appealing to me. The title captured me and the subtle suspense and the beautiful French scenery kept me intrigued......aaah, to be there again eating bread and sipping wine in front of a chateau....aaaahhh.....
I'd love to hear if you do start a new pastime of French film viewing.....I'd definitely recommend it....and despite what a lot of people say, I don't really recommend Amelie, it was too twee for me.....although it did have a few unique phrases....
Byeeeeee