‘French Lover’ (2025) Netflix Movie Review - A Weird Version of Notting Hill

When we see French Lover, you will realize that it’s a version of Notting Hill, except that the roles have reversed. At the center of it is Abel Camara, an actor who isn’t having a good time because of his ex-girlfriend.  He wishes for big movies and better brand endorsements. However, all he ended up getting was a perfume from a not-so-known brand. Throwing a man's tantrum, he visits a café and accuses Marion, a waitress in that café, of invading her privacy by assuming that she was clicking his pictures. Truth be told, she wasn’t, and thus, after creating a huge fuss about the situation, she quit her job as a waitress right in front of him. Slightly guilty of what he did, he offers her a ride home. Now, I don’t know what the makers were thinking, but suddenly, he invites himself to her home. Who does that? And which woman lets a strange man into her house just minutes after meeting? That’s when you realize that the movie is devoid of any practicality. Like all romcoms, these two central figures are polar opposites. Abel is full of himself, while Marion is a sensitive woman. She isn’t going through the best of times. She is dealing with a divorce, and her ex-husband cheated on her with her best friend. The former couple co-owned a restaurant from which she is no longer allowed. So now we have two people who are going through the worst in their personal lives.

What happens next? Yes, you guessed it right, they end up together and find solace in each other. Abel introduces himself as Marion’s boyfriend when her ex-husband shows up and tries to bully her. On the other hand, Abel, while giving an interview, accepts that he too is in love while wanting to keep his lady love a mystery. Hence, he uses this as a perfect opportunity to show the world that he is in a make-believe relationship. Now, the most predictable thing happens: they do fall in love in reality. And Marion struggles to adjust to the fame of Abel. Will this relationship work?

This is the most predictable plot I have ever seen. It's as if we've seen thousands of movies like this before. Yes, as a one-time movie, it’s an okayish watch. You can watch it if you are in the mood for a new romcom. But apart from that, there is nothing new to offer. At one point, you are just watching it for the sake of it. The acting is fine as per the characters. But what’s the point of it, if the plot is so boring and doesn’t make any sense?

It's high time we move on from man-baby-type characters. It’s a pain to watch them. Somewhere while watching, you also feel like telling Marion not to go ahead with Abel. And at this point, I needn’t tell you the ending. They tried making it a French love story, but it just isn’t. So, viewers, as I said before, feel free to watch it once or pass it over.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times