By: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

Omar Sy stars in Lorraine Lévy's film, KNOCK: THE DOCTOR OF HAPPINESS. It tells the story of a man who arrives in a small town claiming to be a doctor capable of curing all ills. Besides being a fraud, his claim conceals a past of dubious integrity. However, he creates such an atmosphere of well-being among the population that, when the moment of truth arrives, the viewer is left unsure how much gratitude he deserves or what punishment he should receive.

The film is based on a 1951 comedy of the same name and also brings to mind THE RETURN OF MARTIN GUERRE (1982), in which a man pretends to be someone he believes has disappeared. Plots featuring characters who assume fictitious identities are a constant in cinema. One need only recall THE MAJESTIC (2001), starring Jim Carrey and Martin Landau. It should be considered, then, that the idea of being someone else to live a different life is a fantasy that crosses the minds of many viewers.

In this case, the weight of the film rests on the shoulders of Omar Sy, who rose to fame thanks to the 2011 film, THE INTOUCHABLES. With this actor, the film gains a comedic tone, which, combined with the drama of some scenes, makes it an interesting film for those who enjoy French cinema.