Yet another outstanding example of the kind of film that only France seems interested in making, a rural setting, strong characters who are above all 'real' and not a lot happening. The main plot point - a younger doctor detailed to 'help' an older one in the country - is reminiscent of Paramount's Welcome, Stranger, circa 1947, where Bing Crosby is 'sent' to give Barry Fitzgerald a helping hand but this was a cynical cashing in on Going My Way where young priest Crosby is sent to help older priest Fitzgerald. Going My Way cleaned up at the box office so it was remade with doctors instead of priests and that's where the similarity to Irreplaceable ends. It could also be argued that it has something in common with The Grocer's Son and indeed more of a case could be made in that case as both films explore life in small, rural communities. Irreplaceable benefits from two leading performances that are way beyond outstanding but Francois Cluzet and Marianne Denicourt also lead a superb supporting cast and a truly beautiful film.
Review of Irreplaceable
