Marie-Laure Dougnac Movies

Few people realize that the great movie-character archetypes over time have become real people and walk among us. At least that is the premise the filmmakers of this off-beat and comical parody of old films would have viewers believe. With a nod towards film noir, the story centers on a missing television western sheriff who inexplicably disappears mid-season. This greatly upsets Monica "Mo" Fitzgerald who is in charge of the huge entertainment conglomerate that invented the sheriff, so she hires hard-boiled detective "Same Follow" to find him. In true Raymond Chandler fashion he begins his search and even gets entangled with a blond femme fatale who explains to him how Mo' has brainwashed all the actors working for her into becoming their characters or "sprites" as she calls them. In looking more closely, Follow discovers that it is increasingly difficult to tell the sprites from real people. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This smart, upbeat French comedy explores the differing attitudes surround children. Martin, a 35-year old advertising executive, is busily working upon ad campaigns for the Floppy dog-food company. It was his ex-wife's idea that he work for them. When the family au pair, 23-year old Sally tells Martin she is pregnant with his child as a result of their one-night stand, Martin seeks the counsel of his friends and family. Compounding the matter is the fact that Sally, who wants the baby, simple considers Martin to be a donor. Martin's militantly left-wing mother wants Sally to get an abortion because she believes it immoral to bring another European into the world. Julien, Martin's best friend, is an equally militant pro-lifer and will end the friendship if he allows Sally to abort. His barren ex-wife subversively influences Sally into keeping the baby. Meanwhile, Martin becomes friends with a pregnant teen who unexpectedly gives birth. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A post-apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex, which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher shop. It's a particularly popular place to live, thanks to the butcher's uncanny ability to find excellent cuts of meat despite the horrible living conditions outside. The newest building superintendent, a former circus clown, thinks he has found an ideal living situation. All that changes, however, when he discovers the true source of the butcher's meat, and that he may be the next main course. This dark tale is played out in a brilliantly designed, glorious surreal alternate world reminiscent of the works of director Terry Gilliam, who co-presented the film's American release. Like Gilliam, co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro hail from an animation background, and have a fondness for extravagant visuals, absurdist plot twists, and a sense of humor that combines sharp satire with broad slapstick and gross-out imagery. This mixture may displease the weak of stomach, but those attuned to the film's sensibility will be delighted by the obvious technical virtuosity and wicked sense of humor. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi