RETURN OF THE HERO

OUT 7 DECEMBER

There are (wan) shades of Cyrano De Bergerac in this French farce, about a noblewoman (Mélanie Laurent) who fakes letters from an awol soldier (Jean Dujardin) in order to soothe her lovesick sis (Noémie Merlant). Star charm and fancy frocks can’t save the shenanigans from spiralling into tedium. A late attempt to stem the silliness has little (b)lasting impact. Matthew Leyland