P&I: SOME LIKE IT RARE

Vincent loves his job; maybe too much. He puts so much care and time into preparing meat that his butcher shop is losing clients, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, while his desperate wife Sophie is about to leave him. When his shop is vandalized by a group of vegan activists, it looks like the end of the road for the couple. Later, recognizing one of the activists on a bicycle, Vincent intentionally runs him over and is stuck with a body that needs disposal. Being a butcher is suddenly very convenient… and his shop is swarmed by customers who want his special ham. Struck by fame, Vincent and Sophie have to figure out how to keep up with their customers’ rising demand.

In this outrageous black comedy written, directed, and interpreted by French humorist Fabrice Eboué, no one is spared. SOME LIKE IT RARE is a critique of veganism, bankruptcy, globalization, and over-consumerism. That’s a lot, but it’s all carried by amazing performances from Eboué and especially Marina Foïs’ laugh-out-loud portrayal of a depressed wife finding new joy in applying her knowledge about serial killers and their modus operandi to save their butcher shop.

Even though SOME LIKE IT RARE is clearly criticizing veganism, Eboué is not laughing at vegans, but WITH them. The Frenchman, who started as a stand-up comedian in Paris, found the right balance between outrageous and fun, and was able to produce a delightful comedy that may well make you question your meat intake. (ANNICK MAHNERT)