Happiness Never Comes Alone

Plot

Sacha (Gad Elmaleh) is a talented jazz pianist who does not take life too seriously. He loves his friends, his piano, and he loves to party. At night, he plays in a jazz club and enjoys seducing pretty young girls. He lives for the moment, looking for pleasure, with no responsibility, no family, and no taxes. Sacha's carefree life changes suddenly when he meets a forty-something career woman named Charlotte (Sophie Marceau) one rainy afternoon. After they make love, Sacha discovers that Charlotte has three children, not to mention a jealous soon-to-be ex-husband who runs the multinational company they both work for. Although she no longer loves her husband, she has a hard time untying the knot because of his wealth and power. Sacha and Charlotte have seemingly nothing in common, but they may just be made for each other.

Cast

Production

Happiness Never Comes Alone was filmed on location in Paris and New York City. Scenes were shot in Parc Monceau, Paris 8. Principal photography took place from 17 May to 29 July 2011.

Critical response

The film received generally positive reviews. In his review in Variety, Boyd van Hoeij called it a "glossy romantic comedy filled with amusing pratfalls and palpable chemistry." Noting that the film explores the problems of beginning a new relationship while raising children, Hoeij goes on to write:

This likable piece of mainstream fluff from Gallic filmmaker James Huth (Brice de Nice), headlined by French stars Sophie Marceau and Gad Elmaleh, has done brisk summer biz in Gaul, where it's closing in on 1.5 million admissions. Squarely aimed at babysitter-requiring auds, this old-Hollywood-style date movie should appeal especially to Euro distribs.

Evoking the classic Hollywood screwball comedies, the film "finds just the right balance between his and her perspectives, while the actors breathe life into their slightly cliched characters by keeping things low-key and affable, displaying enough chemistry to have auds root for them against all odds."

In her review on the Urban Cinefile website, Louise Keller wrote, "Like a good piece of jazz that surprises by its melodies, harmonies and rhythms, this delectable comedy mixes up music, art, kids and love in surprising juxtapositions, delivering a vibrant splash of life. ... Elmaleh and Marceau carry the film with their style, charisma and chemistry in this feel-good breezy encounter." Also on Urban Cinefile, Andrew L. Urban felt the movie was "blessed with a soundtrack showing impeccable taste" and that the "establishing scenes are the best things about the film, as it shows its heart on its sleeve, turning on the magic realism charm, seducing us with its overt romanticism and letting us feast on two characters falling madly in love."