Customer Reviews

With a Friend Like Harry [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With a Friend Like Harry takes quite a while to reveal itself. It's establishing a tone and the relationships of those you are going to be involved with. The film has a lot in common with
Hitchcock in how it takes its time (like say Psycho did for instance) in deciding to tell you what is going on. When you start realizing what is going on... the suspense starts to increase. I was ahead of this film through most of its running time, but that worked in terms of building suspense as well because the characters are ones you are interested in and care about.

I'm purposely not going to tell you much about the film. In terms of re-counting plot synopsis' there's not a great deal to this story of a married couple who bump into a helpful stranger and his wife, a stranger who had gone to high school with the husband. He's odd, but seems friendly and reveals himself to be very quirky but seemingly friendly. There's wonderful details and ironies to be discovered (perhaps on your second viewing) within this film about it's characters. Gee a film where you are actually interested in the characters--imagine that. It slowly builds And reveals and has a few tricks up its sleeve. The film is character based and does not rely on Any over the top type set pieces. You might say it's quiet that way. Quiet in the way an early Polanski film like Cul de Sac was. The tension builds, slowly and methodical until you're more than ready for almost anything.

Direct Dominik Moll cannily manipulates the audiences in how he places his actors and uses his camera. He captures the tensions of a normal life with an accuracy that rings so true you'll identify at least in part with Michel, (Laurent Lucas), and his wife, Claire (Mathilde Seigner, sister of actress Emmanuelle Seigner) and their 3 children.

Michel is a very modern and updated version of the hen-pecked husband. We'll come to realize that in his effort to be 'fair' and in trying to please others, Michael has completely lost himself. He's buried his dreams and lets others use him as a doormat. His children, his wife and his parents have all played a part in overwhelming him and when he has a few spare moments to think about what has happened he resents the way his life has become something not his own.

Harry (Sergi Lopez) bumps into Michael in a roadside restroom and recognizes him. They went to school together didn't they? When Michel and Claire's car breaks down, Harry and his rather vacant but sexy girlfriend, Plum (Sophie Guillemin) offer them assistance. Thus begins what at first seems like an updated variation of The Man Who Came To Dinner as siphoned through one of those Pacific Heights, Single White Female, Or The Hand that Rocks the Cradle films. Most of those tried to mimic Hitchcock with mixed to poor results.

This film however has as much in common with Hitchcock as it does with an early Polanski effort such as Cul de Sac. This is a good thing. On the surface most of the characters seem Average, but then we begin to peel off the layers. The film is pretty easy to predict but there are twists that work quite well. For the most part the twists are believable and do not de-rail the film into some kind of slasher film histironics as often happens with films in this genre.

The acting is all top-notch and the situations build convincingly. What may be difficult to fully accept are the motivations driving Harry to insist on being Michael's friend. Perhaps an extra layer could have been revealed to better convince us, Harry has reasons we can almost identify with for doing some of the things he tries to do. I can make up (in my mind) a few elements of a back-story to make it work very well indeed.... But it would have been nice if the script-writer had added another layer, and put it on the screen. Some are going to find the film strains credibility to some degree and it won't connect with them and be as effective as it could have been.. The characters in this film I'm happy to say don't seem to be used merely as convenient devices for a clever stylish film. They act, sound and behave as normal people do. You don't see this very much in the movies anymore.

NOTE:
The film is absolutely destroyed if you watch the dubbed in English version of the film. The voices who do the dubbing are poor and have terrible phony inflections that utterly ruin the tone, texture and mood the film creates. I don't care how lazy you are feeling, you are doing yourself and the filmmakers are real dis-favor by watching the English dubbed version of the film. Watch it in French, the subtitles are easy to read and any effort you might put forth by doing so is well worth it. After you've seen the film if you want to go check out how awful the dub version is, go right ahead. You'll see within a few minutes what I'm talking about and I hope you'll wait until after you see the film the first time before checking the dubbed version out.

DVD STUFF

With A Friend Like Harry is presented in an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio, and the transfer is very well done. The flesh tones seem to be slightly on the orange side but it's done on purpose and reminds one of the older 50's type of color films such as Vertigo or Rear Window. The colors are slightly over-saturated and tend to bleed slightly but the black levels are very strong and everything appears very clear and bright. I notice very little grain, dirt, dust of scratches on the print used for the transfer.

Both the French and awful English soundtracks are presented in full Dolby Digital 5.1. Stick with the French soundtrack and read the subtitles.

An impressive job has been done on this DVD.

Only three theatrical trailers are your extra features.

Christopher Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller.

First of all, if you're looking for a good scare then you'll hate this movie. If you're looking for a black comedy that will make you feel guilty to laugh and chuckle at some rather unpleasant goings-on, then I can't think of many other films that will fit the bill! This movie doesn't come out and tell you what it's about--it leaves it ALL up to your imagination. And that is the un-American genius to it (we can't seem to do this in American film anymore). Obviously Harry is a nut (because he's a killer), but do his motivations seem that "off"? Not really, and that's why this is a black comedy and not really a thriller. His motivations aren't really out of lust, greed, or hate, which is what makes it rather disturbing. It makes me think of a Macy Gray song: "you are relating to a psychopath, your role model is in therapy, you must be real far gone, you're relating to a psychopath". That's what this movie is like. You get a chance to hang out with a pyscho--and actually get along with him. It's pretty wild. But don't expect any hair-raising thrills--they do not happen here.

I also got the feeling that this movie is also making very subtle jabs at the Americanization of Europe. Like when Harry bought the 4x4 for Michel and family, Michel didn't want it because he thought 4x4's (we call them SUV's here now) were "vulgar". But he soon enough accepted it, seemingly undisturbed by the fact that his values were pretty easily sold out. Consumerism is making its way to the rest of the world. If you're unhappy, buy a product and enjoy the few minutes of relief it buys you. If it buys you more time (like the 4x4 did), then to hell with your values if they were compromised. These things are not uniquely American, but I think Harry in a way represents the modern American influence on old Europe. Harry did mention that he had some dental work done in America, so we don't know

So there's a lot of things to pick apart in this film. I didn't give it 5 stars because I still feel it's a little too obtuse to be a perfect film (plus it is really nihilistic--was Michel relieved by what happend to his parents???). Maybe I'll see it again in the future and will change my mind, but right now 5 stars doesn't seem right. But it's really a stroke of genius, though you'll never be able to fully explain why.

Hitchcock with a French accent. Wonderful actors, unique characters, a splash of black comedy, and a few murders. Definitely worth an evening out.

Michel uses a restroom off a highway. He is cooling himself down by washing his face with water when he notices a man staring at him with a strange smile on his face. The man tells him that he is an old friend from school. Michel doesn't remember him but the man has perfect memory of their past and Michel believes that he once knew this man. The man addresses himself as Harry. Harry seems to know all about Michel and even many things that Michel doesn't remember himself. He remembers a girl that they both dated and even recites an old poem that was written by Michel. He stands too close to people, insinuates many things, and asks questions that no one feels comfortable answering. Harry's way of getting into people's lives feels like he is violating them. Harry is not a very likeable person but Michel feels enough comfort with him to have him over for dinner. Michel(Laurent Lucas), his wife Claire(Mathilde Seigner), and his three noisy daughters are on their way to their summer cabin and Harry(Sergi Lopez) and his fiancé Plum(Sophie Guillemin) follow. Michel has an exhausting life, from taking care of his daughters to humoring his parents to working on his family's cabin which definitely needs a lot of work. Returning to their cabin, Michel finds that his upstairs bathroom has been entirely redone, in pink. It is a gift from his parents but he feels that they should have asked him first. He hates the color and wanted to work on his house his way. Are they bad people for giving him this gift. Whether it is grotesque or not is besides the point. It could be said that they did something wrong by redoing his bathroom in a color that is not suitable for a cabin without asking him, or that they shelled out their own money to give their son and his family a nice bathroom. Harry notices all of the things that make Michel's life hard and decides to change them, but in a prying sort of way. He tries to mold Michel's life in the way that he thinks he would be happiest. Is he a good person for trying to make Michel's life better or is he not. He does these things without asking or even knowing if Michel would want them done. He assumes that this will all help him but the question is: does it really? We do not really know who Harry is and neither does Michel. All that we know is that he used to go to school with Michel and that he is obviously obsessed with Michel's life. From the beginning the film feels like a thriller, but we are not sure why. Is it the creepy music or the way that Harry acts with Michel? Is Harry the real villain or does he just bring out the worst in people with his manner. These questions are all posed when we first meet Harry and they are all answered. "With a friend like Harry" is by far one of the best films of this year. It is a thriller because we don't know what or if anything is going to happen. Will Harry leave or will his glue never unstick?

The opening scene to this film is what immediately pulled me into the story, characters, and emotions. The consistent nagging of our main character's children pulled not only at Michel's mind, but also deeply into ours. This sets the stage, while already having your emotions and sense heightened, for the meeting of Harry, Michel's counterpoint in the film. A classic combination of American Psycho and Swimming Pool, our two characters and everything surrounding them pull us in every direction. From confusion, to suspicion, to fear, and even disbelief, we watch as a simple friend, and unknown acquaintance becomes so deeply rooted in this struggling family. Director Dominik Moll has done his homework in this genre and successfully creates a film that not only tantalizes, but also settles in deep inside you releasing snippets of fear throughout the story. His camera angles, structure, and deeply rooted character development make this little, almost unknown, thriller a step above the others out there.

As I said before, Dominik Moll does a great job directing. It is obvious from the opening credits until the chilling ending that he is very comfortable with the genre and the material. There are some amazing scenes that boldly stick out in my mind, and that is a great sign that the director has gone well beyond his duties to create a powerful film. Outside of the direction, which does stand on its own, we also have some of the best casting around. Sergi Lopez literally steals every scene in this film. His charisma, quiet demeanor, and sinister eyes keep our eyes focused directly on him at all time. Moll gives us nothing about Lopez's Harry, which makes him even more watchable. He is curious and slippery all at the same time. We are never quite handed the reason for Harry's persistence with Michel's writing or the back-story on how these two met (the circumstances that apparently effected Harry's life), and it works in this film. I am notorious for needing more stories to accentuate the characters, but in Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien, none is needed. The suspense is built by not knowing and it really sends a chill up your spine.

Talking a bit more about the characters, I loved the way that Plum was handled. Who was she? Why did she always seem to know what Harry was doing? To me, that was some of the more frightening elements of this film. Plum had a secret, and I really wanted to know what it was. You can never trust Harry, which makes me wonder what was the truth and what were lies that he spoke about. Strangely, the way that I saw it, Harry never lied. Outside of the dirty deeds that he sometimes did, he was a pretty honest guy and I think that was his way of winning over Michel's support. On a side note, could you not see this film being remade using Robin Williams as the role of Harry. After seeing him in One Hour Photo and Insomnia, I could see him pulling off a role similar to this (also, Lopez sometimes looked exactly like Williams). Oh well, it was just a thought.

What kept this film going was the simplicity of the story. It was obvious that Moll used the ever-popular direction known as "K.I.S.S." (Keep It Simple Stupid) to keep his audience focused on the characters that were in front of them. This was a character-based film that, like an onion, had layers upon layers of emotions. There were no elaborate sets, no twists and turns, no sudden jumping that would detract us from the story, it was a simple story with amazing characters, nothing more ... nothing less. For this film, it worked.

Finally, I would like to take you on a thought journey if you wouldn't mind. Think about this for a moment as you finish reading this review. I thought of this after watching the film and as I typed this review. What if there was no Harry? What if Harry was just a figure of a broken man's imagination? From the opening scene we see the tension that Michel is feeling about his life and family, why is it impossible to think that perhaps he created Harry out of thin air to help him through the rough times. We all think of times in our lives that we wished we could go back to, perhaps Michel's time was when he was writing. Writing seemed to ultimately make him happy, so why not dream of a way of getting back there. When it got to scary for Michel (breakdown was pushing him away from those that he loved), is when he had to deal with Harry. I know there are logistical issues with this thought process, for example conversations and so forth, but it was a thought I had as this film seemed to wrap up. Maybe others feel the same, perhaps I am crazy, who knows ... only I will know when I approach you as a lost friend next time you are at a rest area.

Overall, very impressive work by everyone involved. I thought that the story was tight, the characters were immensely disturbing and exciting at the same time, and the images decorated the film very well. I would suggest it to anyone that loved Swimming Pool, the structure is very similar ... except one is sex and the other is writing. They do go together ... don't they?

Grade: **** out of *****

A deeply unsettling movie that left me reeling after watching it. Who says a scary movie needs a bucket of blood and a plateful of gore? In the tradition of Hitchcock whose idea of shocking somebody is through his mind, this movie pays homage to the great director with the greatest flattery: imitation.

Even the plotline is somewhat a reminiscince of "Strangers on a train," a chance encounter between Michel, the protagonist of the movie, and Harry, a long forgotten schoolmate, leads to deaths around Michel. The "criss-cross" theme of Hitchcock's classic is well preserved and I won't go into details to avoid spoiling the movie for you. The well-timed orchestral music could also easily lead to mistaking this for a Hitchcock's film.

I can imagine any director getting over-excited about a psychological thriller like this. "Let's thrown in a few clues here to explain the motivation," I can hear a less seasoned director say. However, Dominik Moll did a fantastic job keeping the film consistent and simple (plot-wise). The acting is also impeccable; well deservedly, Sergi Lopez was awarded a Cesar (French equivalent to the Oscar) for his role as Harry. One complaint is that the film seems to try too hard to keep the tone low-key. It results in an ending that is rather weak (execution, not plot-wise).

Like Hitchcock, Moll is not interested in laying out a map to a killer's mind. He would rather bother you with the unexplained, after all it is more fun that way. From watching 'Psycho' we would never know why Norman Bates becomes what he becomes, yet he is probably one of the most talked about movie characters in history. Similarly, part of the suspense here is to figure out what makes Harry ticks and why. If you like your movies clear and transparent, chances are, you are going to hate this movie.

This was a terrific movie that has been missed by most audiences. (The stupid Miramax-imposed title doesn't help.) Anyone who loves the work of either Hitchcock or Patricia Highsmith will love this.

The top American screenwriters of suspense thrillers will tell you that dealing with movie stars limits your possibilities. For example, if Harrison Ford is starring in your picture, you know he's going to be your hero. As a result, it is very difficult to maintain any level of surprise or suspense.

Fortunately in WITH A FRIEND LIKE HARRY, we don't have that problem. Because there are no big stars, we're never sure quite what to expect. Instead, we're allowed to just enjoy a good thriller.

If you're a fan of suspense thrillers, you definitely don't want to miss this one. It's very tight. It'll keep you at the edge of your seat.

Enjoy the ride!

Harry. What a guy that Harry is. And eggs. I want an egg right now.

But yes, the movie. Nicely done little french movie. Everyone seems to be descrbing it as a HITCHCOCKish film, and I guess they're not all wrong. It's a well paced little thriller with a vein of black comedy. Like Hitch.

And as a friend told me to watch for, tension was used very well in this movie. From the opening scene in the car with the kids going nuts, to the scene in the bathroom when we first meet Harry, the tension created is just a joy to watch. A good tone remains also throughout the entire moive.

And the end I thought was one of the best I've seen in a long time. The implications it made marveled me. That was something I wasn't expecting. That the whole point of the movie was that Harry actually HELPS Michel was, I thought, just great. And to end the movie just how it started, in the car, on the road, but the POLAR opposite; ....

The only bad thing about this is that it's a little slow and twenty minutes or so before the very end, are a little extraneous I think. But still, definitely check it out.

This movie is a great thriller!

When a man, his wife and daughters go on summer holiday, a man meets an old high school classmate, Harry, and a surprising thriller ensues.

Not a movie for the whole family, but definitely a very interesting film if you run into it at the video store or if you like french film.

I give it 5 stars because it is eery and laid out very well. If you enjoy thrillers, you MUST pick this up!