A 40-year-old father's life is complicated when the mother of his two children moves to New York. Since he can't bear them growing up far away from him, he decides to move there as well.
Chinese Puzzle is so intensely contrived that it fails to touch on the deeper truths Klapisch seems to strive for. Xavier pauses to ask a lot of big questions, but the farcical turns of plot undermine any serious attempts to suggest answers.
Ambling, but amiable enough.
It’s Duris’ engaging breakneck performance, bolstered by energetic turns from Kelly Reilly, Cecile de France and Audrey Tatou, that keeps the motor running.
A gently charming conclusion to the Klapisch's trilogy.
Unconventional rom-comic elements are rushed through effecting the total points here.
It's a sort of boxset drama where the best stuff is in the last episode.
There are some thoughtful moments along the way but the film still has the slick, glib feel of a perky television sitcom.
Chinese Puzzle is ingratiating and irritating by turns.
It is mostly insufferable tosh – like Richard Linklater’s Before… films re-imagined for Richard Curtis fans.
Cedric Klapisch
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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