Western (1997)

79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(32 ratings)

Catalonian Paco is a traveling rep for a shoe manufacturer. When he stops to pick up Russian emigree hitchhiker Nino, Paco soon finds himself on the side of the road with everything stolen out from under him. Local gift shop owner Marinette gives the Spaniard a lift. Their mutual attraction… More Catalonian Paco is a traveling rep for a shoe manufacturer. When he stops to pick up Russian emigree hitchhiker Nino, Paco soon finds himself on the side of the road with everything stolen out from under him. Local gift shop owner Marinette gives the Spaniard a lift. Their mutual attraction manifests itself quickly, and Paco, who was fired over the stolen-car episode, hangs around. When he happens to spot Nino in the same town, he beats up the scrawny Russian, who lands in the hospital. Oddly enough, this marks the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Paco and Nino soon take the trip down the road together.

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Manuel Poirier
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

On DVD: Nov 11, 2008

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A delightfully subtle and perceptive blend of romantic comedy and road movie.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The adventures are arbitrary, the cuteness of the men grows wearing, and when Nino has an accident with a chainsaw, we can see contrivance shading off into desperation.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of the most refreshing aspects of Manuel Poirier's Western ... is the way it explodes many common notions about France and French movies.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
A funny, romantic film filled with cozy intimacies and lovely, wide-screen images of the French countryside.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
A charmer from France that feels like a throwback to the 1960s, when foreign films flooded art- house cinemas.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
A charming and -- dare I use this word in a FT review? -- delightful road movie.
Lael Loewenstein, Boxoffice Magazine
Funny, touching, familiar yet original.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This richly satisfying French movie takes the archetypal road story into some uncharted territory.
James Sanford, rec.arts.movies.reviews
viewers who insist on sturdy plots, admirable characters and lots of action will undoubtedly be bored senseless by Poirier's trek through Brittany -- the title refers to the western region of France.
Julie Stevens, Empire Magazine
Touted as a comedy, it's actually nothing of the sort, struggling to get anywhere near the British funny bone.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
A road movie unlike any other you've yet seen.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
If none of these characters is overweeningly compelling, they are all undeniably charming.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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