With a friend like Harry ... (2000) from Johnny Web (Uncle Scoopy; Greg Wroblewski) and Tuna

The last two summers haven't represented the apex of Hollywood's contribution to the planet, which allowed some offbeat foreign films to sneak into America under the radar this summer.

You stop for a potty break at a rest stop on the interstate, and run into an old high school acquaintance. He remembers everything about you, even though you can't remember him at all. He goes on an on about your friends and family, and he knows details even you have forgotten. 

He and his girlfriend seem innocent enough, so you invite them over to the house, and it is over dinner and drinks that you find his knowledge of you to be deeply disturbing. Oh, you're no writer but, like many people, you wrote a poem in the literary gazette in high school. Your visitor not only remembers the poem, he has it memorized. Not only that, but he remembers another unfinished work that you created in school, but never completed, and can barely remember.

At first, you though this guy's memories of you were flattering. But this level of attention is downright creepy. This guy doesn't seem to be a homosexual, but it is obvious that you were his first love! What is not so obvious, but reveals itself slowly, is that this guy is as nutty as a fruitcake. He doesn't have both oars in the water. The gate is down and the light is flashing, but there's no train coming. He has some splinters in the Windmills of his Mind.

Worse than that, he's in your house, and there's no getting rid of him or his attentions. Ultimately, the story boils down to the fact the he wants you all to himself, and he won't share you - not with your wife, your daughters, your parents .....

So who will kill whom and how soon? And will they regret it?

Cool movie. It is in French, but the American dubbing isn't too bad, so you can watch it dubbed or sub-titled. I watched the English track with the English subtitles, and was astounded to see how completely different they were. Sorry to say I can't tell you which was better, since I don't know French, but I enjoyed the film.

The director uses virtually no background music. He builds tension with the ambient noise, and the additional soundtrack consists entirely of a really creepy, old version of the American chestnut "Ramona", as sung with a very heavy accent. (I think by Delores Del Rio) 

Tuna's commments:

Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien (2000) (With a Friend Like Harry, Who Needs Enemies) is listed as a comedy thriller at IMDB, but is more of a thriller with part of a toe in the slasher genre. The film is in French, with imaginative sub-titles. IMDB readers say 7/5/10, Berardinelli says 3 stars, as does Ebert, and the film was nominated for nearly all the Cesar's, and won 4 of them. Michel is on his way to his summer house with his wife and three young daughters. he kids are hot and irritable, and they stop for a break. Michel goes in to splash water on his face, and runs into someone he attended school with. Even though Michel doesn't remember Harry, he is gracious, and ends up with Harry and Harry's fiancee Plum following them home. Harry is wealthy, and, according to Plum, solves things. Michel is uneasy, but has no idea what is in store for him.

The director lets the audience in on the secret from the beginning, but suspense is generated as we wonder when Michel will catch on, and how many people will die. Sophie Guillemin shows her buns in a lengthy scene, lots of leg, and cleavage. This is the first film I have seen with a slasher motif (everyone knows about the horror except those involved) that uses no gore, and very little violence. It builds steadily to rousing conclusion.