Merci Docteur Rey (2002)

0% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(534 ratings)

After making a living by providing English subtitle translation to numerous French films, American filmmaker Andrew Litvack makes his debut as a writer/director with the Merchant Ivory production Merci Docteur Rey. Set in Paris, this farcical comedy involves the troubles of young gay man Thomas… More After making a living by providing English subtitle translation to numerous French films, American filmmaker Andrew Litvack makes his debut as a writer/director with the Merchant Ivory production Merci Docteur Rey. Set in Paris, this farcical comedy involves the troubles of young gay man Thomas (Stanislas Merhar). First his opera diva mother, Elisabeth (Dianne Wiest), comes for a visit and she doesn't know he's gay. When he accepts a blind date with someone from an online chat room, he ends up witnessing a murder and possibly discovering the identity of his real father. Eventually he ends up telling his story to a therapist, who is instead replaced by unstable voice-over actress Penelope (Jane Birkin). Also includes cameo appearances by Vanessa Redgrave, Simon Callow, Bulle Ogier, and Jerry Hall. Merci Docteur Rey was shown at the 2002 Mill Valley Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Andrew Litvack
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 13, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 9, 2005
Studio: Regent Releasing

Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden, New York Times
The movie, written and directed by Andrew Litvack, a protégé of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, strains to be the ne plus ultra of arch, hyper-sophisticated fun, but the laughs are few.
Angela Shah, Dallas Morning News
While the cast of Merci Docteur Rey gives it a good shot, this romp stumbles a bit.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Brainless and pointless.
Robert Dominguez, New York Daily News
Tries too hard to be madcap.
David Blaylock, Village Voice
With Yank Andrew Litvack pinch-hitting for producers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, Merci is free of much of that M-I pomposity, replacing it with an unnerving drollness.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
It comes off as forced wackiness of the worst kind, at once cloddish and faux-sophisticated.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The grinding noises you hear are the gears of this labored French comedy straining to keep a ridiculously convoluted narrative moving along.
Jessica Winter, Time Out
A limp, smirky lark.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
An arch, clumsy effort...not only poorly written but ineptly staged... Mercy!
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Merci Docteur Rey, which occasionally works as a passable farce, stoops to the sight gag of vomit.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Merci for nothing, Docteur Rey.
, E! Online
It's as if Litvack tossed all these bad gags, multiple storylines and kooky characters into a blender and hit puree.
David Noh, Film Journal International
What is all too apparent on the screen is a general pointless ineptitude, particularly dire in circumstances which require both material and handling to be done with the most effervescent of skill.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
In this comedy of murder, there is exactly one laugh, involving a dress and wallpaper, which is one more than there is of a real human moment or emotion.
Susan Granger, www.susangranger.com
There's much ado about very little in this flimsy, fallible Gallic comedy/melodrama which confounds with its complex, voyeuristic incongruity.
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly
This is less a coming-out tale than a showcase for late-middle- aged hysterical divas in flowing caftans to yell, scream and ride roughshod over the young homosexuals who are nominally the movie's center.
Gabriel Shanks, Mixed Reviews
Lacks the sophistication it needs to be truly effective, hopelessly lost in its unfunny gags and weak plotting.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Ghastly.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Cast

            Dianne Wiest as Elisabeth Beaumont

            Jane Birkin as Penelope

            Stanislas Merhar as Thomas Beaumont

            Bulle Ogier as Claude Sabrie

            Karim Saleh as Murderer

            Didier Flamand as Detective

            Roschdy Zem as Taxi Driver

            Nathalie Richard as Radio Interviewer

            Dan Herzberg as Rollerboy

            Simon Callow as Bob

            Jerry Hall as Sybil

            Vanessa Redgrave as Herself

            Vernon Dobtcheff as Francois

            Yousry Nasrallah as TV Interviewer

            Azouz Begag as Executioner

            Hosh Ibrahim as Police Officer

            Olivier Augrond as Gigolo 2

            Canaan Marguerite as Gigolo 1

            Christophe Fleuret as Gigolo 3

            Ruth Handlen as Dr Rey

            Vanina Vignal as Florist

            Franck Lorrain as Boy 1

            Johanna Font as Boy 2

            Volodia Serra as Boy 3

            Johanna Leika as Receptionist

            Ilir Selmoski as Horror Movie Actor

            Charlotte Schioler as Horror Movie Actress

            Michel Filipi as Dubbing Director

            Akiko Toda as Liu

            Daniel Minerva as Calaf

            Jana Bittnerova as Bearded Lady

            Adam Kian as Prince of Persia

            Hossein Ghavanloo as Sword Swallower

            Jocya Ghrenassia as Gypsy Street Singer

            Francois De Bartillat as Gypsy Street Singer

            Andy Hibbins as Gypsy Street Singer
See full cast

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