Directed by Jean-Pierre Améris and co-written with Marion Michau, Aimons-nous vivants is a romantic comedy starring Gérard Darmon, Valérie Lemercier, and Patrick Timsit. Released in France on April 16, 2025, the film follows the journey of a famous singer who, after a health scare, sees his life turned upside down by an unexpected encounter. The film will be broadcast on Canal+ on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 9:11 p.m.
Antoine Toussaint, a former figure of French music, is going through a period of doubt after suffering a stroke on stage. Convinced that he will never be able to perform in front of an audience again, he leaves Paris for Geneva with a specific idea in mind. During the trip, he meets Victoire, a spontaneous woman with a strong personality, who unexpectedly becomes part of his daily life. Their encounter gradually brings Antoine back to emotions he had distanced himself from.
The bond between Antoine and Victoire is built around exchanges marked by opposing points of view and contrasting energies. The disillusioned singer observes a vitality in his traveling companion that he no longer recognizes in himself. Their interaction questions the place of success, the wear and tear of time, and intimate choices. The story takes the form of a fast-paced road movie, where discussions guide the gradual transformation of the protagonists.
The film was born out of Jean-Pierre Améris's reflection on the fear of no longer being able to create. This personal questioning fueled a story that transforms a serious starting point into comedy. The director claims to be influenced by narrative forms in which humor diverts tragedy. The writing focused on a tight setting, mainly on a train, in an aesthetic inherited from the "railroad road movie" appreciated by François Truffaut.
The choice of the lead duo was quickly made. Gérard Darmon embodied a profile combining stage presence and musical experience compatible with the character of Antoine Toussaint. Valérie Lemercier was chosen for her performance combining humor and liveliness. The director highlights the chemistry observed from the first readings, reinforced by their previous collaboration. Patrick Timsit completes the cast in a supporting role designed to balance the exchanges with a more incisive tone.
The artistic direction is based on visual choices that contrast with the hero's melancholy. The costumes and sets have been designed in a bright color palette to accompany the character's evolution. The film includes several musical references, including Mambo Italiano, performed by Gérard Darmon on an album from the 2000s. According to the team, this song serves as a link between the character's artistic past and the irony of his present situation.
The filming gave rise to some unexpected decisions, notably the adoption of a vintage dress brought in by Valérie Lemercier, which was ultimately chosen as a central element of the character's costume. The overall effect is one of lightness and accessibility. Sources: distributor, production, Canal+.
The film is aimed at a wide audience attracted by stories centered on second chances, dynamic duos, and romantic comedies rooted in real-life situations. Its pace, dialogue, and railway setting will appeal to viewers who enjoy a gentle tone, mixed with lightheartedness and emotion.
Aimons-nous vivants
Film | 2025
On Canal+ on December 2, 2025, at 9:11 p.m.
Romantic comedy | Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
By Jean-Pierre Améris | Starring Gérard Darmon, Valérie Lemercier, Patrick Timsit
Nationality: France
This broadcast allows you to discover a romantic comedy built around a journey and personal trajectories in reconstruction.
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