Sadly Over-hyped

Expected more

Dreadfully Boring

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Not the best of Johnny Hallyday's work as an actor (that's "L'homme du train ",2002),not is worst (that's "Terminus",1987). Johnny Hallyday and Fabrice Luchini already appeared both in "Conseil de famille"(Costa-Gavras,1986). Nice comedy with great soundtrack (for fans of J.H.) with a larger- than-life Luchini and some self-mockery from Hallyday. This movie could be seen as the little french cousin of the Schwarzenegger action-comedy "Last Action Hero".In both movies a fan spend time with is idol who's unaware of his idol status.

Just saw it tonight on TV. It is a good comedy worth watching it on TV at least, but this is definitely not ''Diner de cons''. Just to some who claim that Johnny didn't play well Jean-Phillip Smet I've just have to say that Jean-Phillip Smet is the real name of Johnny Hallyday. I guess it is why it is not much emphases on that assuming that french audience already know that.Frankly it is all about that, you must know a little about the French pop culture as other actor are doing small cameos. In that point of view you really got to know how a big stars Johnny is in reality so the ending is more meaningful. All the thing Fabrice tell him about what he should have done are real events part of history. Just for finish Johnny is at first a singer but for several years now he is a full fledge actor and his movie are not all about him playing himself he is able to do other stuff too just as Fabrice Luchini. I guess if the rights are sold to make an Hollywood's flicks you could have a big stars still alive like Billy Joel or Neil Diamond someone a little bit cheesy but still big with a truckloads of die hard fans.

Fabrice Lucchini is a frail-looking, slightly manic, literary type who is perfectly capable of doing highly successful one-man shows where he reads poetry. Casting him as a middle-class washout whose sole passion is the music of a 60-year-old rocker sounds odd, but it works.And one night Fabrice (both the lead characters use their real first names in the film. There may or may not be a reason for this) takes a bump to the back of his head and wakes up in a parallel universe where his idol, Johnny, never made it to the French equivalent of "Opportunity Knocks", was never Discovered, never became a star...Johnny Hallyday is the stage name of one Jean-Philippe Smet (hence the title). Think of him as,say, the French equivalent of Cliff Richard. Still going strong at 60, whether or not you like his music you have to recognise he has undeniable talent as a musician. He also turns in quite a creditable performance for the film, and is a realistic counterweight to the effervescent Lucchini.The film is a pleasant, and eminently watchable, comedy. There are plenty of good jokes, although those who don't follow French popular culture might miss one or two references. It shouldn't spoil the film. Enjoy.

I didn't expect to be blown away by this film, but i expected a good time. I thought that the topic was somewhat original, and the trailers seemed promising. Alas, once you've seen the trailers, you've pretty much seen the funny parts already. While this film isn't bad it kind of get cheesy at times. Johnny plays Johnny and not Jean-Philippe, a character that should have been more developed, the story is ill conceived and the end is plain silly. Add that cheesiness to a very bad song that closes the film and you somehow regret you paid 8,50 euros to have seen it. I heard the Americans are already on it to buy the rights and have thought to make their movie revolving around Madonna or Springsteen. For once i think the American version has a good chance to be better than the original at least. I also enjoyed "true lies" better than "La totale" though.