At The Movies: A Difficult Year

Every now and then a movie comes along that, prior to going to see it, you know nothing about it and it holds you enthralled throughout. The wildly entertaining new comedy A Difficult Year from irrepressible film making duo Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (The Intouchables, C’est la vie!) is such a movie.

A DIFFICULT YEAR stars Pio Marmaï and Jonathan Cohen as two compulsive spenders who get much more than they bargained for when they try and scam their way out of trouble. Both in debt up to their necks, Albert (Marmai) and Bruno (Cohen) have turned to a community worker (Mathieu Amalric) to try and help get a grip on their lives. However, at one of their group sessions, they stumble into an adjoining meeting room hosting a gathering of young social activists, led by a vivacious organiser (the fabulous Noémie Merlant).

Attracted more by the free beer and chips than the group’s struggle against consumerism and protection of the environment (whilst acknowledging the hugs are quite nice), Albert and Bruno join the movement without any particular conviction, but soon sense an opportunity… if they don’t get arrested first.

While a comedy, this movie has it all; airport custom issues, global warming, a love story, slapstick comedy, house de-cluttering and two conmen. While the ending soon becomes pretty obvious, the route woven to get there is not very obvious. The chemistry between the two conmen, Albert (Pio Marmaï) and Bruno (Jonathan Cohen) runs deep throughput the movie.

A Difficult Year is a delightful, must see, movie but what ever you do, don’t leave when the credits begin. There are a few surprises to be seen during the credits.

Don’t miss it.

Movie Review by Geoff Jenke

A Difficult Year at Palace Nova Cinema’s from 26 September 2024. Advance screenings 20 – 22 September

Rating M