The Country Doctor

"French doctor-turned-director Thomas Lilti co-scripts and directs The Country Doctor, a tale also known as Irreplaceable. Apt, as titular medic Jeanne-Pierre (played by François Cluzet) can’t get to grips with the thought of being replaced. Facing illness, he’s forced to take on Nathalie (Marianne Denicourt), an inexperienced apprentice. Both are middle-aged, but Nathalie is fresh out of medical school; a late start that riles Jeanne-Pierre, who treats his would-be replacement with world-weary disdain."

"Lilti's drama skirts away from romcom clichés to deliver an affectionate and deeply moving portrait of two people attempting to do right in very different ways."

"A low key slice-of-life that becomes more powerful as it goes along."

"Not groundbreaking work, this, but watchable."

"Lilti delivers a holistic, occasionally haunting little drama."

"...bristles with humour, mostly drawn from life, and illuminating moments of irony."

"Persuasively played by fine leads and a well-cast ensemble, this thoughtful treatise captures provincial life and the medical mindset with authenticity and tact."