Posted on April 24, 2016
There’s a moment about thirty minutes into Up for Love (original French title: Un homme à la hauteur) where you forget. You forget that the male lead is searching for his phone on top of a refrigerator that looks like a skyscraper to him. You forget the logistical gags about taxi seatbelts and restaurant tables. You forget the height difference.
And you just see two people falling in love.
That is the quiet magic of Laurent Tirard’s charming 2016 rom-com.
On the surface, Up for Love is a lighthearted summer film. But beneath the laughter, it tackles several heavy themes with surprising grace.
The story begins in the glossy, fast-paced world of modern dating. Diane (Virginie Efira) is a successful, glamorous lawyer in her early forties. She is recently separated, sharp-tongued, and spectacularly unlucky in love. After losing (and then finding) her expensive smartphone, she discovers a series of increasingly charming voicemails from a man named Alexandre.
When she finally calls him back, the voice on the other end is irresistible: deep, confident, witty, and warm. It belongs to Alexandre (Jean Dujardin), a renowned architect who seems to be the perfect man—intelligent, sensitive, and refreshingly direct.
They arrange a meeting at a chic restaurant. Diane arrives early, dressed to the nines, her heart racing. She watches the door for a tall, dark, handsome stranger. But when Alexandre walks in, the film delivers its masterstroke of comedic tension.
Alexandre is not tall. In fact, he is 4 feet 6 inches (1.36 meters) tall. up for love 2016
The scene is a masterclass in awkward comedy. Diane, conditioned by societal norms, is visibly stunned. She panics, makes an excuse about a forgotten phone charger, and flees. But Alexandre, undeterred and utterly comfortable in his own skin, chases after her—not with anger, but with empathy. He confronts her prejudice head-on, not with bitterness, but with humor.
Diane, ashamed of her reaction but intrigued by the man behind the voice, agrees to give him a second chance. What follows is a whirlwind romance that challenges everything Diane thought she knew about attraction, status, and what it means to be "up for love."
While the trailer might suggest a standard physical comedy, the film is surprisingly philosophical. It tackles:
The comedic moments, when they come, are organic. A scene where Alexandre has to climb onto a barstool is not a joke about his size, but a brilliant visual metaphor for the “climbing” he has to do to meet people halfway in society.
Look, it isn't perfect. Angelababy is charming, but she is often criticized for relying on "wide eyes" to convey emotion. Also, if you are looking for deep, gritty realism, this isn't it. The side characters are mostly wallpaper, and the conflict is resolved so quickly you might blink and miss it.
Up for Love (2016) — French: Un homme à la hauteur — is a romantic comedy about love beyond appearances. Below is a concise, shareable post you can use on social media, a blog, or a film-recommendation list.
Plot summary A successful and charming architect, Alexandre, meets Diana, an attractive and independent columnist. Sparks fly, but Alexandre hides a personal insecurity: he is 1.36 m (4'5") tall. The film follows their chemistry, Diana’s reactions, and how both confront prejudice, self-image, and what really matters in a relationship.
Why watch
Content notes
Quick take (1-2 sentences) A warm, modern rom-com that uses an unconventional premise to examine prejudice, self-worth, and the choices we make for love—funny and sweet, if you can look past a few predictable beats.
Suggested caption for social media "Looking for a light, feel-good rom‑com? Watch Up for Love (2016) — a sweet story about love, insecurity, and choosing people for who they are, not how they look. 🍿💕"
Tags/keywords #UpForLove #UnHommeALaHauteur #RomCom #BodyPositivity #DateNight
If you want a longer review, discussion questions for a watch-party, or a brief character list, say which and I’ll add it.
Up for Love (original title: Un homme à la hauteur ) is a 2016 French-Belgian romantic comedy directed by Laurent Tirard . It is a remake of the 2013 Argentine film Corazón de León The story follows
(Virginie Efira), a successful lawyer who is three years divorced from her business partner, Bruno. After losing her mobile phone at a restaurant, she is contacted by
(Jean Dujardin), a charming and cultured architect who found it. Posted on April 24, 2016 There’s a moment
During their initial phone conversation, the two share an immediate connection, but their first meeting brings an unexpected surprise: Diane discovers that Alexandre is only 4' 6" (137 cm) tall
. Despite her initial shock, Alexandre’s wit, confidence, and "superhuman" consideration win her over, leading to a romance that must contend with societal prejudices and Diane's own insecurities about their physical mismatch. Key Cast and Characters Description Jean Dujardin A dashing, wealthy, and highly successful architect. Virginie Efira A beautiful lawyer struggling to move on after her divorce. Cédric Kahn Diane’s mocking ex-husband and law partner. César Domboy Alexandre’s supportive son. Critical Reception
Reviews for the film are mixed, often focusing on its central "visual trick":
1. The "Anti-Kdrama" Pacing Let’s be honest: We love a love triangle, but sometimes you just want a couple to communicate. Up for Love is refreshingly free of noble idiocy. When Xiao Nai decides he wants Weiwei, there is no 10-episode will-they-won't-they. He just... goes for it. It’s direct, mature, and oddly satisfying.
2. Jing Boran’s Deadpan Swagger Xiao Nai is supposed to be impossibly cool, and Jing Boran nails the fine line between arrogant and adorable. He doesn't need to scream his love; he just shows up with a new computer for her or subtly destroys her ex's reputation. It’s low-key, high-impact romance.
3. The Visuals This film is pretty. The game world sequences are glossy and vibrant, but the real beauty is in the contrast. Watching two socially awkward geniuses try to hold hands in real life after being married in a game for months is surprisingly cinematic.
In the vast ocean of romantic comedies, it is rare to find a film that genuinely challenges social prejudices while still making you laugh out loud. Enter "Up for Love" (original French title: Un homme à la hauteur), the 2016 gem directed by Laurent Tirard. Starring the luminous Jean Dujardin (of The Artist fame) and the brilliant Virginie Efira, this film takes a seemingly trivial physical characteristic—height—and turns it into a sprawling, intelligent conversation about self-worth, vanity, and the very nature of attraction.
If you are searching for a smart, feel-good movie that avoids cheap clichés, Up for Love 2016 is the hidden treasure you have been waiting for. The comedic moments, when they come, are organic