Eldorado (2008) Reviews

Two unlikely characters are brought together under equally unlikely circumstances in this eccentric road comedy from Belgian auteur Bouli Lanners. Yvan (Lanners) is an auto salesman who makes a good living dealing in American luxury cars. One evening, Yvan comes home to discover a burglar has made his way into his home, and a quick search reveals the criminal, Elie (Fabrice Adde), is hiding under his bed. Elie claims to have a weapon, but Yvan is convinced he's bluffing, and when the thief finally emerges he turns out to be a junkie who is feeling the first stages of withdrawal. Yvan feels more pity than anger toward Elie, and when he discovers the would-be criminal doesn't have enough money to get home, Yvan offers to give Elie a lift to his parents' house. However, Yvan's car breaks down en route, and the Good Samaritan who helps him fix it insists on having a few drinks with Yvan and Elie, leaving Yvan intoxicated and sleepy. When Yvan drifts off while driving, he ends up wrecking his car, and he and Elie are soon at the mercy of a two strangers in a camper. Eldorado was screened as pat of the Directors' Fortnight series at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi