Too Shy to Try (1978)
Pierre is a hotel cashier in Vichy, so shy that he answers an ad from the Psychology Institute and can't say no to the salesman, Aldo; he spends 6,000 francs on tapes, books, and a punching bag. Soon after, he's smitten by Agnes, a hotel guest with a model's looks and photographers wherever she goes. When she leaves for Nice, he follows, meeting Aldo on the way. Aldo becomes his boldness coach. Pierre gets a job washing dishes where Agnes is staying, but after a week or so, she's off to Deauville, with Aldo and Pierre in pursuit. Using funds they get by selling Aldo's car, this time Pierre poses as a polo-playing jet setter. Will this win the heart of Agnes?
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How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Once, France was the world capital of comedy and Pierre Richard was one of their very best comedians. It's a period that looks completely forgotten today, but I grew up with this stuff and I think I still carry the "marks" and the influence in my personality. Particularly from movies like this one, that in the time I thought was made specially for me. A guy, too shy to... even live, in his personal fight to "get better", with the help of a friend that he gets in the way and slowly he WILL gain self confidence and determination, but only after a lot of laughs. My favorite joke of the film is the scene of practice his self confidence in a restaurant. More than classic! They just don't make them like that any more 8)
Excellent comedy! One of the best Pierre Richard played in and one of the few he directed. He is, as many times, very shy and unpractical guy who falls in love with unreachable woman, this time even from higher society. But Pierre here gives a great performance which makes it very funny to watch and on the other hand very believable. My favorite is the final "rescue scene". Dressed as fireman, he tries to be a hero and rescue her from flames. Try to imagine how successful he is. Or...don't try, better see it. When I first saw it on Czech TV I fell twice from bed laughing...