A Difficult Year

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2:11

A Difficult Year

2023

2h 0m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Both in debt up to their necks, Albert (Pio Marmaï) and Bruno (Jonathan 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 instead stumble into an adjoining meeting room hosting a gathering of young social activists, led by a vivacious organizer (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.

Stephen Romei

The Australian

It takes a serious idea – how we consume more than we need and what this commodification is doing to the planet and its people – and considers it with a lot of humour and a touch of romance.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 1, 2024

Full Review

Robert Daniels

Screen International

Lacks romantic chemistry, emotional verve and political vigor.

Sep 14, 2023

Full Review

Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

The latest example of a lukewarm film that would have been hotter if it was shorter. There really ought to be a law that any comedy longer than 98 minutes should require special dispensation from the secretary of the Department of Sensible Running Times.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 26, 2024

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

It's an interesting film because it touches upon a complex and controversial theme with humor. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 25, 2024

Full Review

Luis Martínez

El Mundo (Spain)

At times, and by dint of piling up jokes, A Difficult Year turns into a reactionary comedy. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 2/5

Jun 6, 2024

Full Review

Antonio Trashorras

Fotogramas

Woven with the usual skill, the narrative tapestry of 'A Difficult Year' constitutes an effective exercise in communion with the general view... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Jun 5, 2024

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Carlo C

Comedia, bien lograda, sobre las charlatanerías de dos sujetos acostumbrados a abusar del sistema financiero francés y que se encuentran la oportunidad para seguir haciéndolo a través de un grupo de activistas ecológicos, que los llevará a apreciar cosas que nunca habían apreciado.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Laurie F

A real moral mess. Cliches on top of cliches and the film makes jokes about very serious issues. Every character is duplicitous and over the top with the possible exception of Claire ( Margot Bancilhon) who plays it straight and honest. I came out quite angry. Not just for the wasted time and money, but for the wasted opportunity to make a comedy that also had a point

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

Full Review

James Patrick P

A fun movie, well acted with great direction and colour. This a semi-cynical view of climate protesting uses redemption and human frailty as background themes. The writer skirts around the familiar tropes to get the best out of the actors. Lovely shots of Paris. Have fun with the film as the filmmakers don’t take themselves too seriously.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

Jim E

Some funny spots, some romance and climate protesters come together to make this an enjoyable flick!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Mount T

Entertaining, funny, but very text driven with little to no drama

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

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Eric Toledano

Director

Olivier Nakache

Director

Pio Marmaï

Actor

Jonathan Cohen

Actor

Noémie Merlant

Actor

Mathieu Amalric

Actor

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A Difficult Year: Trailer 1

2:11

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Synopsis

Both in debt up to their necks, Albert (Pio Marmaï) and Bruno (Jonathan 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 instead stumble into an adjoining meeting room hosting a gathering of young social activists, led by a vivacious organizer (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.

Director: Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Producer: Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky
Screenwriter: Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
Production Co: Gaumont, Quad Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: French
Runtime: 2h 0m