Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (2008)
(Welcome to the Sticks)
Country: FR
Technical: col/2.35:1 106m
Director: Dany Boon
Cast: Kad Merad, Dany Boon, Zoë Félix, Anne Marivin
Synopsis:
A postmaster resorts to deception in order to secure a transfer to a coveted area of the Midi and as punishment is sent to the Pas de Calais. However, his worst fears of sub-zero temperatures and backward locals come to nought; on the contrary, he likes it there and his marriage improves. The challenge is to keep his wife in the dark.
Review:
This old-fashioned (as in sentimental, chauvinistic, homophobic) comedy rests on one or two preposterous assumptions as far as dramatic premise and character psychology are concerned, but jettisons any attempt at depicting France as it was in 2008 in favour of an affectionate parody (one assumes) of customs and speech in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Against all apparent logic it was the most commercially successful French film to date. True, if seen with an audience it does contrive a number of choice sequences and a pervasively infectious atmosphere of high spirits, and this without stars and on a low budget, but sophisticated or subtle it ain't.
(Welcome to the Sticks)
Country: FR
Technical: col/2.35:1 106m
Director: Dany Boon
Cast: Kad Merad, Dany Boon, Zoë Félix, Anne Marivin
Synopsis:
A postmaster resorts to deception in order to secure a transfer to a coveted area of the Midi and as punishment is sent to the Pas de Calais. However, his worst fears of sub-zero temperatures and backward locals come to nought; on the contrary, he likes it there and his marriage improves. The challenge is to keep his wife in the dark.
Review:
This old-fashioned (as in sentimental, chauvinistic, homophobic) comedy rests on one or two preposterous assumptions as far as dramatic premise and character psychology are concerned, but jettisons any attempt at depicting France as it was in 2008 in favour of an affectionate parody (one assumes) of customs and speech in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Against all apparent logic it was the most commercially successful French film to date. True, if seen with an audience it does contrive a number of choice sequences and a pervasively infectious atmosphere of high spirits, and this without stars and on a low budget, but sophisticated or subtle it ain't.
(Welcome to the Sticks)
Country: FR
Technical: col/2.35:1 106m
Director: Dany Boon
Cast: Kad Merad, Dany Boon, Zoë Félix, Anne Marivin
Synopsis:
A postmaster resorts to deception in order to secure a transfer to a coveted area of the Midi and as punishment is sent to the Pas de Calais. However, his worst fears of sub-zero temperatures and backward locals come to nought; on the contrary, he likes it there and his marriage improves. The challenge is to keep his wife in the dark.
Review:
This old-fashioned (as in sentimental, chauvinistic, homophobic) comedy rests on one or two preposterous assumptions as far as dramatic premise and character psychology are concerned, but jettisons any attempt at depicting France as it was in 2008 in favour of an affectionate parody (one assumes) of customs and speech in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Against all apparent logic it was the most commercially successful French film to date. True, if seen with an audience it does contrive a number of choice sequences and a pervasively infectious atmosphere of high spirits, and this without stars and on a low budget, but sophisticated or subtle it ain't.