Watch Les malheurs d'Alfred

Les malheurs d'Alfred, released in 1972, is a romantic comedy directed by Pierre Richard, who also stars as the titular character. The film, set in Paris, follows the story of a wealthy, clumsy, and unlucky man named Alfred, who is deeply in love with his neighbor, a beautiful young woman named Gisèle (Anny Duperey). Alfred is an inept and socially awkward man who has never been able to express his feelings to Gisèle, despite living next door to her for years. He spends most of his time fantasizing about her and dreaming of a life together. He thinks that his money and charm will win her over, despite his numerous missteps and accidental humiliations.

Gisèle, on the other hand, is unaware of Alfred's feelings and is a free-spirited young woman who enjoys the company of various men. One day, Alfred finally musters up the courage to ask Gisèle out on a date, but he is plagued by a series of misfortunes and mishaps that threaten to ruin everything.

Throughout the film, we see Alfred struggling to communicate effectively, often causing more harm than good, as he tries to win Gisèle's heart. His attempts at impressing her by showing off his wealth and his charm, often result in confusion and hilarity. He becomes so lost in his attempts to win her over, that he neglects her and her interests, only seeing her as an object of his desire.

Amidst all of this, Alfred also deals with pressure from his family, who have their own ideas of who he should marry. His uncle (Jean Carmet) is a wealthy Casanova who wants to be Alfred's wingman, while his father is convinced that he should be pursuing only women of his own social class.

The film is a lighthearted comedy and explores themes of love, class, and social expectations. As Alfred navigates the challenges of love, he learns some valuable lessons about the importance of communication, honesty, and putting the needs of others before his own desires.

The cinematography of Les malheurs d'Alfred is visually stunning, with beautiful scenes of Paris and a charming score that highlights the film's romantic themes. Pierre Richard gives a brilliant comedic performance as the bumbling and endearing Alfred, with Anny Duperey providing a confident and charismatic performance as Gisèle. The supporting cast of the film is also delightful, with Jean Carmet providing a standout performance as the suave and charming uncle.

Overall, Les malheurs d'Alfred is a charming and delightful romantic comedy, that is both funny and heartwarming. The film's humor and memorable characters make it a classic of French cinema and a must-see for fans of romantic comedies.