Now in Cinemas: Louise-Michel

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Anyone bitter about the Global Financial Crisis will take delicious, vicarious pleasure in the revenge comedy that is Louise-Michel. From the very first scene -- of a botched cremation ceremony -- French filmmaking duo Benoît Delépine and Gustave de Kervern set about entertaining their audience with a world where, clearly, nothing is sacred.

Returning to the idea of a retribution road movie from their raucous directorial debut Aaltra, here Delépine and de Kervern sketch out the tale of some slighted factory workers pooling their severance pay to hire a hitman. Illiterate and prickly ex-crim Louise (Yolande Moreau) stumbles upon the eager and oafish Michel (Bouli Lanners) as the man for the job. Politically incorrect hilarity ensues when it turns out Michel has scruples -- of sorts -- and instead decides to hire his dying cousin to do the hit. But when they get the wrong man, Louise and Michel pursue their quest from Picardie to Brussels and up the corporate ladder to the illustrious tax haven of Jersey.

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The wonderfully framed deep-focus cinematography, deadpan dialogue and ludicrously funny site-gags all contribute to the offbeat charm of Louise-Michel. From target practice gone wrong, to people smuggling, to a dwarf sentry dressed as a garden gnome, Delépine and de Kervern display an incredible comedic talent. Their humour is akin to the Coen Brothers, complete with sudden outbursts of violence that got at least one scream from the festival audience. However their 9/11 spoof -- while funny -- was perhaps a bit of a stretch. In fact the quirky neighbour character came across as a mere vehicle for this quite self-conscious scene.

The 'romantic' subplot may also miss the mark for you, though Moreau and Lanners' pitch-perfect performances carry it off. Also well cast are Louise's partners in crime, played by real life redundant factory workers (hint: be sure to stay for the credits). And Mathieu Kassovitz must get a mention for his hilarious cameo as a committed eco-farmer.

Inspired by the 19th Century revolutionary Louise Michel, Delépine and de Kervern revealed in their recorded introduction that they considered their film, "a revolutionary anthem." But they also admitted to not trusting Air France enough to fly to Australia, so we're very fortunate that their comedy made the journey -- in more ways than one.

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This review was published on Rotten Tomatoes.

Australian release date: 8 October 2009