The Mystery of Henri Pick is a French drama-comedy directed by Rémi Bezançon, adapted from a novel by David Foenkinos. Released in French cinemas on March 6, 2019, the film stars Fabrice Luchini, Camille Cottin, and Alice Isaaz in a literary tale blending mystery, a satire of the publishing world, and plenty of humor.
It all begins in a Breton library specializing in manuscripts rejected by publishers. A young editor stumbles upon a remarkable manuscript titled The Last Hours of a Love Story, attributed to Henri Pick, a pizza shop owner who passed away two years earlier. The novel quickly skyrockets to fame, but the revelation sparks immediate suspicion—especially when the deceased’s widow insists that her husband never wrote anything other than his shopping lists.
Confronted with this mystery, literary critic Jean-Michel Rouche delves into the investigation alongside Henri Pick’s daughter. The film then follows an unexpected duo, caught between skepticism, curiosity, and fascination with this literary enigma. While keeping its key twists under wraps, the storyline explores the fine line between truth and fiction, all the while offering a wry commentary on the mechanisms of literary fame.
Henri Pick’s Mystery is adapted from the novel published by David Foenkinos in 2016. With Vanessa Portal, Rémi Bezançon decided to shift the story’s focus onto the character of critic Jean-Michel Rouche, whereas the book featured a more ensemble-based structure. This decision allows the film to take on the feel of a clearer, more straightforward investigation on screen, while still exploring the novel’s core themes: the making of success, the circulation of stories, and the uncertainty that surrounds any work of art.
The filming largely took place in Brittany, an ideal backdrop for this story where the province becomes the starting point of a nationally significant literary affair. Fabrice Luchini, who was considered early on for the role of Rouche, brings his signature blend of sharp wit and erudition to the character. Meanwhile, Camille Cottin offers a more straightforward, pragmatic presence. The film subtly echoes a tradition of detective stories built around the MacGuffin, with a manuscript that functions both as a narrative driver and as a symbol of the blurred lines between fiction and reality.
With its tone, the feature film appeals to fans of literary stories, French comedies with a distinctive character, and tales where mystery relies more on character development and subtlety than on action. Its wit and fondness for deception may bring to mind certain French adaptations where sharp dialogue and well-crafted characters take center stage over spectacle.
Our review of Le Mystère Henri Pick:
Le Mystère Henri Pick is not an easy story to adapt for the cinema. In David Foenkinos' original work, the plot hinges heavily on introspection, unspoken thoughts, and shifting perspectives. Translating such a literary style into a visual narrative required a careful hand. On this front, director Rémi Bezançon manages to rise to the challenge by emphasizing dialogue and the dynamic interactions between characters, bringing them vividly to life on screen.
To streamline the story, several characters from the novel are either omitted or merged in this adaptation, centering the plot around literary critic Jean-Michel Rouche, played convincingly by Fabrice Luchini. This narrative choice simplifies the book’s broader ensemble cast into a focused investigative thread, driven by the sceptical curiosity and sharp wit of this erudite protagonist.
The film’s relationship between Rouche and Henri Pick’s daughter—played by Camille Cottin—becomes one of its driving forces. Notably, the adaptation transforms a secondary character from the book—a somewhat stereotypical lingerie shop assistant—into a refined, passionately literary academic. This shift adds nuance and allows Cottin to portray a character both emotional and determined, standing firm against Luchini’s flamboyant verbosity.
Without aiming for spectacle, the movie relies on a restrained staging and the allure of mystery: the true identity of the author behind the novel Les dernières heures d'une histoire d'amour. Bezançon gradually builds a tense atmosphere of curiosity and doubt that invites viewers to stay engaged until the very end. It’s an enjoyable literary game where one central question remains open: Is Henri Pick truly the author of this bestselling manuscript?
The Mystère Henri Pick
Film | 2019
Released in theaters: March 6, 2019
Dramatic comedy | Running time: 1h41
Directed by Rémi Bezançon | Starring Fabrice Luchini, Camille Cottin, Alice Isaaz
Original title: Le Mystère Henri Pick
Country: France
With The Mystery of Henri Pick, Rémi Bezançon delivers a charming and perceptive story that explores how stories circulate, the power of interpretation, and how a single text can change a life. Blending elements of a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world, character-driven comedy, and a lighthearted mystery, the film primarily thrives on its captivating central duo and the joy of unraveling a literary enigma that questions the very concept of authorship.
Along similar lines, one might also consider The Boss Woman, which blends French comedy with a gripping plot driven by a strong character, or Delicacy, another adaptation inspired by David Foenkinos’s universe, where emotions and personal stories unfold in a tone that is both bittersweet and literary.
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Official website
www.gaumont.fr
