French cinema has a new kind of romantic comedy – one that isn’t afraid to talk openly about grief, loneliness, and the fear of falling in love again. Love Is Overrated (L’amour, c’est surcoté), written and directed by Mourad Winter, finally lands on Canal+ after its theatrical run in France and a buzzy debut at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival.
Released in French theaters in 2025 and now premiering on Canal+ on January 13, this 98-minute French romantic comedy blends offbeat humor with raw emotion, led by a cast of actors best known for their work in stand-up and sketch comedy.
Where to Watch “Love Is Overrated” on Canal+
If you missed L’amour, c’est surcoté on the big screen, you can now stream it on Canal+. The film is broadcast on the channel on January 13, in line with the French media chronology rules that space out theatrical, pay-TV, and streaming releases.
This pay-TV premiere gives the movie a second life, reaching viewers who may have heard about its strong festival buzz, its emotionally charged performances, or simply its provocative title, which immediately stands out in today’s rom-com-saturated landscape.
Story Breakdown: Grief, Second Chances, and a Reluctant Romantic
Rather than starting with a meet-cute or a grand gesture, Love Is Overrated begins with a man stuck in emotional limbo. Anis, played by Hakim Jemili, has never been particularly good at relationships. But the real turning point in his life came three years earlier, when his best friend Isma died. Since then, Anis has withdrawn from others, quietly carrying a grief that keeps him from imagining any kind of romantic future.
On the exact third anniversary of Isma’s death, Anis makes a decision: he’s tired of isolation. He doesn’t suddenly become a confident dater, but he pushes himself out of his comfort zone and tries, cautiously, to re-enter the world of human connection.
That’s when he meets Madeleine, portrayed by Laura Felpin. Direct, outspoken, and emotionally expressive, she is almost everything he is not. Their encounter isn’t stylized or fairy-tale-like; it’s grounded, awkward, and deeply human – and that’s the point. The film uses their evolving connection to explore how unresolved trauma can make any new relationship feel dangerous.
Instead of building its story around classic rom-com obstacles – misunderstandings, rival lovers, big public declarations – the script focuses on Anis’s slow, uneven process of rebuilding himself. Love is present, but it’s treated less as a magical cure and more as something fragile, risky, and intertwined with past wounds.
Here’s a look at the trailer to get a feel for the movie’s tone and style:
A Comedy Cast Tackling Serious Emotions
One of the most striking aspects of Love Is Overrated is its casting. Mourad Winter surrounds his lead characters with performers who are strongly associated with comedy, then asks them to navigate material that’s often introspective and emotionally heavy.
Hakim Jemili carries the film as Anis, delivering a performance that balances awkward humor with a sense of quiet, persistent sorrow. Opposite him, Laura Felpin brings volatility and warmth to Madeleine, drawing attention from many critics for the way she oscillates between comic timing and vulnerability.
The supporting cast includes:
- Benjamin Tranié
- François Damiens
- Clotilde Courau
- Abdulah Sissoko
- Alassane Diong
These names are familiar to French audiences from television, stand-up, and mainstream comedy hits, and their presence gives the film a lightness that keeps it from tipping fully into drama, even when it deals with loss head-on.
Music, Mood, and the Blend of Comedy and Realism
The atmosphere of Love Is Overrated is anchored by an original score from Bachar Mar-Khalifé. Rather than pushing big emotional swells in the way many Hollywood rom-coms do, his music emphasizes quiet beats, introspection, and the uneasy space between sadness and hope.
The film alternates between snappy, humorous dialogue and more contemplative scenes where Anis confronts his guilt, fear of vulnerability, and persistent attachment to the past. What stands out is the commitment to a grounded, realistic tone; even when jokes land, they don’t erase the underlying melancholy but sit alongside it.
From Festival Breakthrough to Mixed National Reception
L’amour, c’est surcoté made its first big impression at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival, a key event for French and European comedies. There, the film earned a Special Mention from the Jury, praised in particular for its pacing and emotional impact.
This early recognition helped position Mourad Winter’s debut feature as a title to watch, especially for viewers looking for a more nuanced, bittersweet take on romance. The film was widely seen as a promising first step in his directing career.
When it rolled out nationwide in France in April 2025, the reaction from critics became more divided. Many reviews singled out Laura Felpin for her layered work as Madeleine, calling her a revelation in a more dramatic register. Others, however, questioned some of Winter’s directorial choices and his perspective on certain characters, debating how successfully the movie balanced its comic elements with its heavier themes.
On the commercial side, the film drew audiences: it totaled over 470,000 tickets sold in France, a solid figure for a first feature that doesn’t neatly fit into the mainstream rom-com mold.
Why the Canal+ Release Matters
In France, the so-called “chronologie des médias” (media chronology) determines how long a movie must stay exclusive to theaters before it hits pay-TV, then subscription streaming, and finally free-to-air channels. Love Is Overrated arrives on Canal+ after its theatrical window, fitting squarely into that regulated path.
For viewers, that means January 13 is the first real opportunity to discover – or revisit – the film from home on a major premium channel. For the movie itself, the Canal+ showing is a chance to broaden its audience beyond festival-goers and early adopters, and to reach people who are more likely to sample buzzed-about titles once they hit TV or streaming.
With its unconventional mix of grief narrative and romantic comedy, the film is particularly well suited to this second wave of discovery. Canal+ subscribers who may not usually seek out French theatrical releases might be drawn in by the intriguing title, the recognizable comedians in the cast, or the promise of something more emotionally grounded than a typical feel-good rom-com.
How “Love Is Overrated” Redefines the Modern Rom-Com
For American viewers used to glossy Hollywood romantic comedies, L’amour, c’est surcoté offers a distinctly European, character-driven approach. Rather than promising that love will fix everything, it raises a tougher question: What if you’re not ready for love because you haven’t processed what you’ve lost?
The movie doesn’t dismiss romance; instead, it suggests that love, while powerful, is “overrated” when it’s treated as a simple, one-size-fits-all solution. Through Anis and Madeleine, the story shows how two imperfect people can slowly negotiate intimacy while carrying their own histories and blind spots.
That nuance is exactly what makes this Canal+ premiere worth seeking out. It’s a romantic comedy that recognizes how hard it can be to let someone in – especially when the past still feels painfully present.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Original title: L’amour, c’est surcoté
- English title (literal): Love Is Overrated
- Director & writer: Mourad Winter
- Genre: French romantic comedy with dramatic elements
- Runtime: 98 minutes
- Canal+ broadcast date: January 13
- Festival highlight: Special Mention from the Jury at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival
- French theatrical release: April 2025
- Box office (France): 470,000+ admissions
FAQ
When is “Love Is Overrated” (“L’amour, c’est surcoté”) airing on Canal+?
The film is broadcast on January 13 on Canal+. This Canal+ premiere comes after its theatrical release in France, following the country’s media chronology rules that schedule when movies can move from theaters to pay-TV.
Who directed “Love Is Overrated” and did they also write the film?
Mourad Winter both wrote and directed L’amour, c’est surcoté. It is his debut feature-length film, marking his first major step as a filmmaker in French cinema.
What genre is the movie, and how long is it?
Love Is Overrated is primarily a French romantic comedy, though it leans heavily into drama by addressing grief and emotional recovery. The film has a runtime of 98 minutes.
What makes this romantic comedy different from more traditional ones?
Unlike many conventional rom-coms that focus on lighthearted romance and predictable plot twists, L’amour, c’est surcoté centers on a man paralyzed by loss. It uses humor but keeps a realistic tone, highlighting how personal trauma can complicate any attempt at love, which gives the film a more introspective and grounded feel.
