Miss

Good ideas don't necessarily make great films, as the second film co-written and directed by Ruben Alves after The Golden Cage (2013) shows so well. Of course, we can understand the will to tackle the LGBT (lesbian gay bi trans) theme head on by associating it with the Miss France contest, but not only a better screenplay would have been needed, but above all a much more ambitious director who would not have hesitated to go beyond political correctness to propose a great dramatic comedy in the same vein as the classics such as Tootsie (1982), Madame Doubtfire (1994), To Wong Foo, thanks for everything! (1996), and Sweet November (2001).

However, the film started in a rather inspired way by portraying a school class in which children expressed their wish and when one of the main characters was still a child, Alex openly said that his wish was to be elected Miss France. In a society in which appearances matter a lot, this introductory scene could have been an over-the-top comedy of a proud LGBT who would do anything to fulfill his dream. Unfortunately, the sequel is seriously lacking in good ideas and between the description of Alex's sordid background and his training to be Miss France, the film never finds the right tone or rhythm. The result is an unenthusiastic vision of a young man who feels bad about himself and wants to claim his difference but can't manage to hold our attention at any point. Between rather ridiculous scenes and a story that drags on, Miss is a constant disappointment and her will not to offend anyone makes this film will not remain in our memories as an exemplary success.

However, the casting of the second roles in this film had enough to convince us, starting with the actor Thibault de Montalembert, who was perfect in the counter role of a prostitute at the end of her career. In the same way, the presence of the actors Pascale Arbillot, Isabelle Nanty, Stefi Celma in important second roles gives this film a certain added value. In the same way the presence of Sylvie Tellier, ex-miss France 2002 and current head of the company Miss France brings a certain credibility to this comedy which cruelly lacks rhythm, ideas and indulges in ease.

While the release of most American films are postponed until next year and big French productions like Kaamelott: Premier Volet prefer to follow the same example, other French films can gain visibility provided they are of quality and successful. Unfortunately, it is not with this film that theaters will be filled again. Fortunately, Albert Dupontel's magnificent Adieu des cons will also be released tomorrow, which deserves to be a huge success in cinemas.

Miss
Directed by Ruben Alves
Produced by Laetitia Galitzine and Hugo Gélin; Fabrice Delville, Nora Thomas and Christophe Toulemonde
Written by Élodie Namer and Ruben Alves
Starring Alexandre Wetter, Isabelle Nanty, Pascale Arbillot, Thibault de Montalembert, Stéfi Celma, Baya Rehaz, Claire Chust, Hedi Bouchenafa, Moussa Mansaly, Alexiane Torres, Margaux Bourdin, Amanda Lear, Quentin Faure, Bertrand Combe, Cécile Rebboah, Ruchi Ranjan, Even Esquerra, Sylvie Tellier, Christian Benedetti , Patrice Melennec, Lila Fernandez
Music by Lambert (Song by Clara Luciani)
Cinematography : Renaud Chassaing
Edited by Valérie Deseine
Production companies : Chapka Films and Zazi Films ; Belga Productions
Distributed by Warner Bros. (France); A-Z Films (Quebec), Paradiso Entertainment (Belgium), Praesens Film (Switzerland)
Release date: 18 January 2020 (Alpe d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival), 11 March 2020 (Switzerland), 4 April 2020 (Belgium), 24 April 2020 (Quebec), 28 October 2020 (France)
Running time: 107 minutes

Seen on February 18, 2020 at the Forum des Images (Paris)

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