A major talking point of the film is the special effect used to make the 6-foot-tall Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin ( The Artist ) appear short. Rather than casting a shorter actor, the production used a mix of techniques, including forced perspective (placing Dujardin farther back in a shot to appear smaller), filming him on his knees, and some use of digital effects. For many critics, however, the inconsistent application of these effects became a noticeable flaw, with Dujardin's height appearing to fluctuate from scene to scene.
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.
Up for Love (2016): A Charming Romantic Comedy That Measures Up
Virginie Efira delivers an equally compelling performance as Diane. She navigates the complex emotional arc of a woman torn between genuine love and societal embarrassment without making the character seem shallow. The natural, breezy chemistry between Efira and Dujardin provides the emotional anchor necessary to keep the audience invested in their love story. Critical Reception and Legacy up for love 2016
Directed by Laurent Tirard, Up for Love was released in France and Belgium on May 4, 2016.
If you're in the mood for a delightful romance that challenges stereotypes while keeping you smiling, this Top Ten French Rom-Com contender is a must-watch.
Up for Love (2016) is a French romantic comedy directed by Laurent Tirard and starring Jean Dujardin and Virginie Efira, centering on a woman who falls for a charming architect who is 4'6" tall. While critics praised the lead performances and the film's charming tone, some noted inconsistent CGI shrinking effects and a lack of depth regarding the social challenges presented. Find detailed information at Rotten Tomatoes . Up For Love - Loose Lips A major talking point of the film is
Alexandre is intentionally written as a flawed but highly accomplished, confident, and charismatic man. He refuses to let his height define him, choosing to skydive, design massive buildings, and command rooms with ease. The film beautifully argues that true stature comes from a person's character, confidence, and capacity to love, rather than their physical measurements. Critical and Audience Reception
If you are looking for a visually bright, emotionally sweet movie night pick that tackles standard relationship hurdles through a unique visual lens, this 2016 film remains well worth the watch. It serves as a gentle, funny reminder that true stature has absolutely nothing to do with height.
☆☆☆ Few rationally-thinking females jump out of planes at 10,000 feet with a smooth-talking chap they met only an hour previously. This narrative device transforms the film into a
The film's success hinges on the undeniable chemistry between its two leads. The cast includes:
To create the 4ft 5ins height, the film relied on digital manipulation to reduce Jean Dujardin’s size, rather than casting a naturally smaller actor. This technique received mixed reviews, with some critics feeling it occasionally undermined the emotional authenticity of the relationship, while others felt it made the film’s "visual" message stronger. Critical Consensus (2016)
Diane’s journey is a microcosm of societal hypocrisy. Her colleagues, her mother, and her stepfather all react to Alexandre with combinations of shock, mockery, or patronizing pity. The film forces the audience to question their own implicit biases: Why is a height deficit treated as a tragedy, even when the man in question is brilliant, kind, successful, and emotionally mature?