When an actor writes, directs and stars in a film it has the potential to be something really special. After all they know the character they are playing better than anyone else. Unfortunately it can also be a bit of a mess for the exact same reasons. Nicolas Maury’s directorial debut My Best Part is somewhere in the middle, and as much as it will touch some, it will turn just as many away.
My Best Part follows the story of Jérémie Meyer (Maury), a struggling actor whose jealousy of his boyfriend causes them to break up. To make matters worse, Jérémie had a role in a film that he was looking forward to starring in. But those filmmakers recast his role. And he struggles to find more work. To help him reset his mental state, he decides to move out of the city. He moves in with his over-protective mother in the countryside. My Best Part is a portrait of a man whose mental health is quickly declining, who hopes a change of scenery can help him restore his lost sanity.
For a directorial debut, Maury definitely chose a role that was right up his alley, but he still needs to learn how to properly edit a film as this one ran on a little too long. He also needed to have someone tell him when he was overplaying his role. The beaten down puppy dog look he wears throughout most of the film quickly gets overbearing and needs to be toned down. On the other hand, My Best Part gives an interesting look into mental decline.
Jérémie’s actions are never predictable, and you can never tell what he may decide to do next. There are a lot of funny moments interlacing the dramatic tensions throughout the film. Because of this, which even though the characters may be over the top, will still make you laugh. Some may be turned off by the ending, which doesn’t wrap things up in a neat little bow. But it does suit the over all tone of the film that hops from one scene to the next without any real sense of direction.
My Best Part isn’t for everyone. Some may find it meandering, pointless and lacking in emotion. Meanwhile, others may find it easier to connect to the character. Those people may know what he’s going through during his descent into madness. It all depends on personal experience, because this film isn’t going to tell you how you should feel. Whether you connect with Jérémie or not however, it’s interesting to see how one person handles their fall from grace.
