"Hors de prix" a mildly funny French comedy, co-written and directed by Pierre Salvatori tries too hard to be cute. We were 'bombarded' with the trailers for this film way before it opened commercially in New York. Alas, the best scenes were seen in the trailer and they have a deja vu feeling as one watches the film on the big screen.

The French have the knack for coming out with naughty ideas for their sex comedies. There is no doubt in our minds this film will have a Hollywood after life as a repackaged vehicle for whoever is hot at the time it will go into production. "Hors de prix" seems to be a long commercial for the type of clothing, jewelry and cars that were strategically placed within the picture to entice the viewer, or perhaps make us envious for all the excesses one sees displayed.

The best thing the film has is the pairing of Gad Elmaleh, one of the comic actors being showcased at the moment, and Audrey Tautou, a fine presence in this, or any other one where she is asked to appear. The mistaken identity joke, the basis of the plot, has been done with better results in better films. "Hors de prix" is not a horrible movie by any means, it just doesn't have any surprises, leaving the viewer a bit weary when all is said and done.

As I understand it, Pierre Salvadori's "Hors de prix" ("Priceless" in English) is based on Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's", following the book more closely than the 1961 movie did. I've never read the book or seen the original movie, so I can only talk about this one.

Audrey Tautou plays gold-digger Irène, who happens upon bartender Jean (Gad Elmaleh) in a swanky hotel on the French Riviera. Not realizing that Jean is an employee - he fell asleep on the job - Irène tries to start up a relationship with him...except that her current paramour dumps her, after which a mishap gets Jean fired! Now that the two are in a real fix, she doesn't want to see him again...but there's more than meets the eye.

This isn't any kind of masterpiece, but fun to watch for the short period that it runs. The clever Irène and the nerdy Jean actually make a pretty fine pair. But without a doubt, I'd say that the best part is seeing Audrey Tautou in very revealing dresses (hell, seeing her at all in a movie, but especially in the sexy clothes that she wears here). From this movie and "To Catch a Thief" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", southern France sure looks like a cool place to visit. Worth seeing.

Also starring Marie-Christine Adam, Vernon Dobtcheff, Jacques Spiesser and Annelise Hesme.

Priceless is a French film directed by Pierre Salvadori and it stars Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh together with Marie-Christine Adam,Vernon Dobtcheff,Jacques Spiesser and Annelise Hesme. A woman who has never had much trouble choosing between love or money tries to teach a man the tricks of the trade in this sly romantic comedy.According to the director, the film is inspired by the 1961 Blake Edwards film, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Irène is an attractive thirty-something woman who lives a comfortable life by taking up with older and very wealthy men. Irène is serving as arm candy for Jacques, who is twice her age and quite rich; Jacques takes Irène on a vacation to a resort in the French Riviera for her birthday, where she meets Jean, a handsome bartender at the hotel who works a variety of odd jobs to keep himself afloat. While Jacques spends Irène's birthday sound asleep, she ends up enjoying a romantic evening with Jean, until she discovers he's broke. A year later, Jacques and Irène return to the resort, and Jean discovers he still carries a torch for her. Irène is not so interested until Jacques decides he's had enough of her and breaks off their relationship; suddenly forced to fend for herself, Irène turns to Jean for help. Jean, meanwhile, has learned that Madeleine, a handsome and very well-to-do widow in her sixties, has her eye on him and wishes to make Jean her kept man. Jean asks Irène to give him a crash course in the fine art of being a gigolo, while Irène tries to get back in the game by taking up with Gilles. Slowly but surely, Irène and Jean realize how much they care for one another.

The appealing actors make up for the fact that they're portraying prostitutes. They are putting their bodies up for sale, but saving their hearts for true love. After all, that's the only thing that's priceless.That is what makes this film truly wonderful despite of being its somewhat ludicrous screenplay.It is worth to note that it features sharp performances from Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh. It is hugely enjoyable and utterly charming.