THE BUTLER DOES IT

How would you describe the qualities of an ideal butler? He is discreet, dedicated, calm, controlled, self-effacing, efficient — someone who’s ready, willing, and able to humbly respond to the employer’s every need, from serving tea to maybe serving as a confidant. In the charming film Mr. Blake at Your Service — in French with English subtitles — the character of Andrew Blake (disarmingly played by  John Malkovich) is able to present himself as being all those things when hired as a qualified butler. And that’s pretty good, considering he’s never been a butler and had no intention being one. However, a miscommunication situation and a curiously convenient coincidence of characters’ needs finds him doing très bien with tray in hand, as if he’s an old hand at butler-ing.

Andrew’s intention is to have a small vacation, not a new vocation, when he arrives on the grounds of an estate where, many years ago, he’d met the woman who became his wife. They’d planned a sentimental return there, to rent a room and stir memories; although she died before they could, he decides to go alone as part of his process of grieving and retrieving (or leaving behind) memories. An initially snippy employee named Odile (Émilie Dequenne, very effective in this, her final role) assumes he’s shown up in response to an ad for a butler and is quick to brusquely order him about. After he clears up the misunderstanding, they come to an understanding that suits them both: he can stay temporarily (paying absolutely zero money) in exchange for working (and being paid absolutely zero money), taking on butler-type duties and providing general household help, since the household is short on cash but the house needs sprucing up. She’s bossy and prickly, with pet peeves and a pet cat who’s pampered. (The fluffy feline’s filmed facial expressions are notably captured — is there an Academy Award for best silent animal performance?)

Also in residence, of course, is the owner of the palatial building, the proud but financially strapped Madame Beauvillier (the radiantly regal Fanny Ardant) who — along with others — is none the wiser as Andrew and Odile arrange to keep the arrangement a necessary secret from others, including fellow employee Manon and a neighbor named Philippe. Secrets abound, in fact. While the characters are, on the surface, quite different in some ways, most have many moments of acting guarded, brittle, cautious, private, lonely, being reserved and reticent about revealing their real feelings and past or current woes and worries.

Gradually, the ice melts. Mr. Blake begins to break down their defenses with gentle humor and caring above and beyond the call of duty as a pseudo-butler. He and Madame B. commiserate about missing their deceased spouses (he’s been widowed for four months, she for four years) and both, when alone, address their missed ones aloud (he to a bedside framed photograph, she to a dress form draped in her husband’s clothing). Her husband left her with grief and bills, and she’s trying to keep it from everyone that keeping the wolf from the door is not going so well.

Meanwhile, young Manon (sympathetically portrayed by Eugénie Anselin) is newly partnerless, too: just one of the secrets she doesn’t share in the early scenes. Also single, and apparently crushing unrequitedly on Odile, is the socially awkward, self-described hermit Philippe (played engagingly by the conveniently same-named actor, Philippe Bas). They could all use a friend/”found family.” Fortunately, Mr. Blake is at their service — if they’ll let his warm nature warm their hearts.

Thanks to by DP Stéphane Le Parc, there’s a lot for the eye to linger over here, with the fancy and faded glory of the mansion and its verdant grounds. Also worth watching is the merrily mischievous Malkovich manner as Blake teases and tests those he forges friendships with, his eyes twinkling, a knowing smile slowly widening. The action and reactions are lovingly and leisurely directed by Gilles Legardinier, based on his own 2012 novel Complètement Cramé! (Completely Burnt Out!), and he’s the co-writer of the screenplay with Christel Henon, who has one of a few smaller roles that help the mostly pleasing plot thicken and throw surprises at viewers.

Alas, a couple of differently-toned late incidents feel awkwardly out of place and come out of left field. However, by then the movie and characters have earned our affection and patience, so they don’t do irreparable harm. But they do seem like choices that are unwise. Otherwise, the elements of Mr. Blake at Your Service can be summed up by another title this genial gem was released under: Well Done!

stills courtesy Vertigo Releasing

Mr. Blake at Your Service
Vertigo Releasing
100 minutes | French with English subtitles | PG
in wide release UK/Ireland from 3rd October, 2025
available elsewhere on Apple TV, Roku, Prime Video, etc.