Up For Love 2016

Upon its release in France in May 2016 (and later internationally on Netflix), Up for Love received mixed but generally positive reviews.

Critics praised the chemistry between Dujardin and Efira, calling it "effervescent" and "genuinely moving." The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the premise feels like a sitcom setup, the film "transcends its logline through sheer wattage of its stars."

However, some critics, particularly those within the dwarfism community, expressed concern that a non-dwarf actor was cast in the role using digital effects. Others argued the film, while well-intentioned, occasionally fell into "preachy" territory.

Despite the debate, audiences overwhelmingly embraced the film. It was a commercial success in France and found a massive second life on streaming platforms, where it became a word-of-mouth hit for couples looking for a smart, adult romantic comedy.

The film’s biggest weakness is its predictability and lack of real conflict. The third-act breakup feels manufactured (a job offer in France? Really?), and the resolution is so rushed it practically trips over itself. The chemistry between the leads is pleasant but never sizzling—more “good friends” than “soulmates.” For viewers looking for depth or realism, this movie will leave you hungry.

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

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.

The film opens with Diane (Virginie Efira), a successful, recently divorced lawyer in her forties. She is elegant, sharp-witted, and decidedly cynical about love. After a bitter separation from her ex-husband (who left her for a much younger woman), Diane has sworn off romantic entanglements. She spends her evenings alone, nursing her wounds and her pride. Upon its release in France in May 2016

One day, she receives a call from a man named Alexandre (Jean Dujardin). He has found her phone, which she accidentally left at a restaurant. Their phone conversation is electric—witty, flirtatious, and surprisingly deep. They banter like old friends; he makes her laugh, and she challenges his intellect. There is a palpable chemistry, built entirely on voice and words.

They decide to meet. However, there is a catch that Alexandre has failed to mention: he is 4 feet 5 inches tall (1.36 meters). In a panic, he watches her from across the park, sees her scanning the crowd for a tall, handsome stranger, and loses his nerve. He lies, saying he cannot make it.

The core of Up for Love 2016 kicks off when Alexandre finally confesses and they meet face-to-face. Diane is shocked—not because she is cruel, but because social conditioning has prepared her for a different image. What follows is not a farce of slapstick falls or mean-spirited jokes, but a tender, awkward, and deeply human negotiation between two people who are perfect for each other on paper but terrified of the world’s judgment.

Mostly, yes. The comedy is broad but never cruel. (A scene where Alexandre teaches Diane to dance by standing on her feet is genuinely lovely.) The script dodges a "magical little person" trope—Alexandre has flaws. He’s stubborn. He uses his height as a shield to push people away before they can reject him.

The final act stumbles slightly into predictable rom-com territory—a public declaration, a last-minute chase—but the finish line feels earned. Skip it if:

The film’s central mechanic is Alexandre’s use of stand-ins and deception. He meets Diane by returning a lost phone, engaging her in conversation without revealing his stature. When they eventually meet in person, he utilizes a complex web of lies and a friend to pose as him, creating a "ghost" version of himself—a man with the personality of Alexandre but the body of an average-height man.

This narrative device transforms the film into a study on the "male gaze" and the "female gaze." Diane falls in love with a voice, a wit, and a shared intellectual frequency. However, her mental image—her "gaze"—is fixed on the societal standard of male beauty and stature. Alexandre is aware of this bias; his deception is a defense mechanism against a society that often infantalizes men of short stature. The film suggests that while we value "inner beauty," our initial biological and social programming prioritizes visual conformity.

Watch “Up for Love (2016)” if:

Skip it if:

Final Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) – A perfectly fine, forgettable rom-com that shines only because of Li Xian’s budding charm. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a cupcake: sweet, enjoyable in the moment, but not very memorable an hour later.

Did you mean a different “Up for Love” (e.g., the 2015 French film Un homme à la hauteur with Jean Dujardin)? Let me know, and I can write a post on that one as well!