Brillantissime

On Christmas Eve, Angela learns her partner has walked out, turning a season meant for joy into a test of survival. The days that follow become a comedy of missteps as she tries to put her life back together and figure out who she is when love falters. At home she negotiates with a rebellious teenage daughter who pushes every boundary, a mother who treats every setback as a trial, and a best friend whose outrageous schemes keep the pressure high. A quirky psychologist arrives with offbeat ideas that only heighten the chaos. Through the mess and the laughter, Angela discovers a stubborn resilience and the surprising ways love can reappear when you least expect it.

Directed by Michèle Laroque and released in 2018, Brillantissime draws on the collaboration of Geraldine Aron, Lionel Dutemple, and Benjamin Morgaine for its script and concept. The film blends Laroque's warm humor with an ensemble cast that includes Kad Merad, Françoise Fabian, Gérard Darmon, and Rossy de Palma.

Box office data for Brillantissime is not widely published, reflecting its modest release footprint outside France and limited international exposure. If figures exist, they do not land in prominent box office tallies, and the film remains better known to domestic audiences.

Critics describe Brillantissime as a light character driven comedy that leans on quick dialogue and relatable situations rather than big plot twists. It explores starting over after a breakup, the friction between independence and family obligations, the generational gap between Angela and her daughter, and the healing power of friendship as a chosen family.

Though not a global hit, the film adds to a tradition of French holiday comedies that center on a stubborn heroine, her circle, and a holiday shaped by chaos and care. Its lively performances and brisk pace give audiences a sense of communal warmth, especially for fans of Laroque's stagey charisma.