User reviews

French people might understandably be disappointed by a theatrical adaptation of the beloved Petit Nicolas, a character so familiar from their childhoods, but as one who was never mesmerized by the original form of these character, I did not go into this with expectations.

But it's a fun little ride. The costumes, the décor and the acting are all impeccable--Valérie Lemercier is especially delightful. So, too, is the writing: the story is predictable, tidy, socially non-offensive and slightly fantastical--but self-consciously so. It is a tribute to and a mild, good-natured parody of 1950's aesthetic and moral values in filmmaking, and it works very well. Most contemporary period films delight in opening up the curtains on the skeletons of what they see as "repressed" past societies and in poisoning our sentimental collective memories with gritty filth (see « 8 femmes » for an excellent French example; "Titanic" for a classic Anglo-American textbook example).

« Le petit Nicolas » is just here to remind us of what we were once supposed to try for--and it makes us wonder if it wasn't in some ways better than what we have ended up with... without, of course, being too moralizing. It makes for a good little weekday evening pick-me-up.

To be honest, this movie didn't appeal to me because I couldn't stand the sugary nostalgia of this old France. But the kid wanted to see it again, so I complied.

And I realized that my feeling was very wrong: the movie is a tender and accurate vision of the world through the children eyes. They see it in a way opposite to adults. Thus, it was a perfect movie for the kid and it brought me very old memories about my childhood.

The cast is terrific: Kad Merad as a father can show all his big heart. Among the kids, Clotaire was my favorite with his dreamy and dumb attitude. And it's funny because he could act for the son of the actress Cecile de France.

But, rather than a great movie, it is a great adaptation because we mustn't forget that it's actually a collection of illustrated stories. And I find that the opening credits, which look like strips are the best idea ever for any adaptation movie!

When you select this film to share with your family, you will get two things from it. First, you have selected a surprisingly fun film which can be enjoyed by everyone. Director Laurent Tirard has selected a group of adults and French school children who bring to life a most charming book entitled " Little Nicholas. " Secondly, it's the cute tale of a young school Boy named Nicholas (Maxime Godart), who's little life is perfect. His father (Kad Merad) and mother (Valérie Lemercier both love their son, but he is often confused by their squabbles. Upon learning his mother will soon be expecting another child, Nicholas mistakenly believes they will have to take him to the woods and leave him there. Encouraged by his school friends, Nicholas begins taking steps to either have his parents assassinated or kill his baby sister. The entire confusing scheme is set in motion while his parents are trying to make life better for their son. Including an incredible task given by the teacher to her students to create an essay on what the students would like to become when they grow up. A small wonderful story complete with incredible dramatic antics, social comedy and a dazzling display of child induced situations. Except for the French Dialog which is often translated wrong the movie is a delight for all. ****

I love the "Petit Nicholas" books and René Goscinny is a personal god of mine, so I was very sceptical about this film. Especially because it's not "real-life" rather than a cartoon, whereas Jean-Jacques Sempés illustrations were essential to the charme of the books. But then the reviews were good and I gave it a try.

If you look at Goscinny's humour, it's almost reactionary. There's the fat guy, the rich kid, the dimwit, the four-eyed squealer, the easily- ired father, the just-a-housewife mother. And they all translate well onto film. Goscinny's humour stems from letting those characters interact predictably but creatively and with perfect timing, and this movie's makers managed to closely reproduce Goscinny's genius.

It's funny and escapist -- nothing more. Childhood as it should be. Sempé himself said that he created the childhood for little Nick he never had for himself.

Must watch fun movie for whole family. This is how children movie's should be...just simple life events not just fairies & all...

This movie is amazing. It is not often that I go to see a foreign movie, but people had told me how good this one was so I just went. And I do not regret it.

The actors all seem to fit perfectly for their part. I found it hard to imagine how they were any different in real life. One gets kind of nostalgic, seeing those children in their school uniforms. The story is just wonderful, and it is really, really humorous, the entire audience laughed throughout the movie. It is not that kind of funny in the way normal Adam Sandler and those Hollywood movies are. It has something more to it, it is not, well, hollow (cannot really describe it). The way the director has got this set up, to see the world the way a kid sees it, to look into what's going through their mind, this is all just wonderful. I walked out of there with a little smile on, I was all fuzzy after having laughed so much.

I would really like it if my town would start showing more foreign movies like this one.

This is a very entertaining movie.Loved the opening credits were very creative. Kids looked adorably innocent when they are discussing about grave issues, which are actually mostly imaginary.Looks like the movie was made from real incidents or observations.The potion looked very similar to something I had made during school days, when I got hooked in Chemistry . Characters were well made, consistent and well played.Streets in France looks so beautiful.The beauty of the movie comes from its close resemblance to real life. Scenes of the medical check up, parallel parking, boss visiting the house were hilarious. Good background music too.Well crafted by creative minds,and great story.

First of all, I have to admit that I decided to watch the movie because I used to watch the tv show when I was younger. The plot of the movie was kinda interesting, but not innovative because it was similar to the tv series. The storyline was kinda well-written and well-explained, even though it was very simple and easy to understand. The characters weren't interesting, nor well-developed, however they were very funny (especially, the children). The casting of the movie was nice and the children's performances were descent. I have to admit, it was a very funny movie and there were too many jokes during the movie. Also, it was a fast-paced movie, so I didn't felt bored, at all. The opening scene of the movie was predictable, hilarious and promising. The ending scene was definitely predictable and it was just fine. Overall, "Le Petit Nicolas" was an average family film, funny, enjoyable and I would probably recommend it to my friends.

Before I saw this movie I was strongly skeptical.

First of all "Nicholas" while being one of top 10 children books ever made... Have no storyline. It's just series of very funny but very short stories center around a group little French boys. There's no adventures or perils – just amusing anecdotes from every day life of Nicholas and his friends.

Second of all the books was written by Rene Goscinny. A French author most know for his comic books "Asterix" and "Lucky Luke". While those are some of the most delightful peaces of graphic novels I ever read I sadly must admit they where butchered during the last decades with some horrible, horrible adaptations (with few exceptions, second Asterix movie was pretty good) "Nicholas" being a hard material to adapt already felt like a bad idea, and the fact so many of Goscinny's work was made into terrible movies wasn't a sing they will treat it with a proper respect. To be honest making "Nicholas" into a movie felt like going pretty low to get some money from his creation. When I was a kid I dreamed of Asterix being made into a movie even back there Nicholas felt like a absurd idea.

The third reason I know it won't work was the fact it was a children movie. Obviously it wouldn't work in any different way but the fact is Nicholas stories never had morals or life lessons. In fact stories where pretty cynical. A lot of humor came from the fact that Nicholas pals would get into fist fights very quickly. The kids would call each other names all the time and Nicholas parents would fight and argue all the time. It was part of the charm, however we live now in the age of Political correctness so I was sure they will tone down the violence, make it more sugary sweet/cute and ad some morals…

To my big surprise… Non of those problems appear in the movie! The script makes a excellent combination of different Nicholas stories and stay true to the characters and their personalities and in fact spends a lot of time playing with the character and their personalities. I like this type of movies as you never feels the plot rushing you just enjoy the ride and individual time spent with each character. The humor is great. It uses a lot of lines from the book but ads a lot of jokes… and I must say It actually gets pretty dark at moments. I don't got to much into detail since some of the biggest laugh-out-loud jokes come from the black humor. The kids actor where fantastic and where cast very well reflecting different personalities from the book. There is even a sequence which is a homage to Goscinny's other work (Asterix) as well a cute paper-cut-out opening sequence which is a tribute to Sempe – the illustrator. In a way it was very much like the book. Just collection of small anecdotes but tide into a larger story at the same time which build up to a terrific and incredible funny punch line. The ending is in fact very sweet and heath worming without being off-character for the series.

My only complains are total nitpicks. Some characters where completely different (fiscally) that the way I imagine them in the books (especially Nicholas parents) but the actors manage to make them work in their own way. Few characters (girl that's Nicholas love interest or the next door neighbor) felt to be forced into the script just because "they where in the books" and their scenes serve no purpos other then showing those characters for the fans. There was maybe one or two gags that where completely off-character for the series as well few small moments that don't make sense in any translation out-side of France.

Overall It's surprisingly fun movie both adults and kids will enjoy. One of best adaptations of Goscinny's works!

Little Nicholas, based on the popular "Little Nicholas" picture books, presents a cheerful and endearing depiction of childhood. The film humorously and charmingly explores the life of a young boy and his friends at school and at home. With vibrant and delightful performances from the young cast, it brings a sense of joy and lightness. The direction skillfully recreates the unique and appealing atmosphere of childhood, though it may sometimes focus on surface-level humor. Little Nicholas offers a blend of simple comedy and heartwarming messages, making it enjoyable for those seeking a light and entertaining comedy.

Generally speaking , i dont give better than 6 to comedy movies. Because they are not rewatchable. This movie is also not rewatchable BUUUT , this movie put smile on my face, most "comedy " cant do these days. Really good in comedy section . I was able to empathize main child with myself most of the movie. Ending was heartwarming. Movie didn't bore me ( this is a plus , because generally comedy movies . . . You get it . ) I watched it with my sister and mother and it was beautiful moment of my life . I wish I could forget this movie and rewatch it again with my family. ( I give 10-9 to my favorite movies , 7-8 to rewatchable movies. This movie is beautiful, so I was not able to give it 6 . )

In a suburb in France, the boy Nicolas (Maxime Godart) does not know what he wants to be when he grows up since he is very happy with his mother (Valérie Lemercier), his father (Kad Merad) and his schoolmates. When his friend Joachim has a baby brother, Joachim tells to the other boys that his father had become very gentle with his mother. Then Joachim vanishes from school. Nicolas partially overhears the conversation of his parents about a dinner party for his father's boss and he misunderstands, believing that his mother is pregnant and his parents want to get rid of him. Nicolas tells his friends and they decide to hire a gangster to vanish with the baby, But they need to raise the money first.

"Le Petit Nicolas" is a delightful and refreshing entertainment, with a gang that recalls the characters of Quino's Mafalda without the political jokes. I have laughed a lot, but the dinner party and the visit of the minister of education to the class are among the funniest moments of this original comedy of errors. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Pequeno Nicolau" ("The Little Nicolau")

I didn't watch lots of movies, but this is the sweetest movie I've ever seen. The whole story is about love among parents and kids, teachers and kids, and love between kids, parents, friends. It touches the tenderest part of my heart.

Every kid should be decently raised up that way. Your parents love you, but won't spoil you. Your teacher care about you, but won't push you too hard. Your friends support you, though sometimes they envy you, you always cover each others' ass, and have fun together no matter how stupid it looks like.

Despite the setting is in an old France that I don't know much about, the story would fits in any period of human history (except for war times). The sweet love, awkward moments, unnecessary worries, war between teachers and students together composed a harmonious symphony.

The movie was so cute and fun. It has been 4 years since it was released and I wonder where is its sequel, because this movie deserves one or maybe those who loved it will anticipate like I do. The characters were very well created and developed, the timing of jokes was excellent. When I saw Kad Merad on the first frame of his appearance in this movie, I could not control myself from laughing and knew it would be an awesome and I gonna have a nice time with it. And I did.

This movie was based on a series of French children's books. It reminds me 'Diary of a wimpy kid', about a kid who had his own imagination and mistook the occasion he witnessed with his parents which makes him to act quickly to make it right. So the little Nicolas forms a little gang from his school friends and theirs adventure is ours (audience) fun ride.

As a children movie fan I loved it from my heart and wanted more of it which was lasted for just 90 minutes. Watching a movie like it make me a kid, sometime it will recall my childhood memories. I feel I am so lucky to see it and hope you won't miss after reading this review. Highly recommended for kids movie fans.

The children in this movie delivered no doubt a great performance. What I didn't like was the pace in this funny comedy. Sometimes it was slow paced but there were also some scenes where our family had to laugh. The story is too far fetched but children have enough fantasy but I really have expected more. The father of Nicolas played his role solid as his wife. The atmosphere, the costumes and the well adapted music were original and gave this film a sentimental touch.

If you liked it then don't miss the great french success "Bienvenu Chez Les Chtis" or "Mister Bean's Holiday".

Final vote: 5/10.

Having only recently emerged from childhood, but not recently enough to have forgotten it, I can say with credence that Laurent Tirard's slightly absurdist, deliriously comic adaptation of Rene Goscinny's "Le Petit Nicolas" books knocks Richard Linklater's unnecessarily dreary and pointless Oscar-excuse out of the park and into the poubelle where it belongs. Unlike Boyhood, Le Petit Nicolas finds - a decidedly comical - joy in childhood, reveling in naivety and innocence with appropriately childlike delight.

Le Petit Nicolas follows a young boy, Nicolas, as he interacts with his friends and family. When he discovers that his parents are going to have a child, and to his horror, that such a development could mean his expulsion from his home, he and his friends set out on a quest to hire a gangster to kidnap the baby and leave it in a jungle. The film bounds from hilarious misadventures to surprisingly dark coincidence with gorgeous fluidity. The story is told well enough to charge every frame with purpose, and even the comedy has a certain universality about it that will render the film irresistible to any age.

It's no emotional tour de force, or even as funny as I would like to say it is, but I consider it one of the most true depictions of childhood I have ever seen on film. In other words, "oui, c'est bon."

We watched this feeling we may be classed in the "older audience" catagory but this movie proved us wrong. We laughed from start to finish with the naughty school boys, desperate teachers and the parents who were oblivious to their sons fears. The whole movie was a delight and so well acted and comedy hilarious.

I wasn't too sure about watching this movie to be honest. A family movie with a lot of kids as actors, it doesn't seem appealing to me, but in all fairness I have to admit it was a nice surprise. The reason I decided to watch it is because I'm a big fan of René Goscinny, one of the best known comic drawners from France (Asterix being the most famous one). The characters in the movie are based on his scenario. Another reason was that the adult cast consists of French comedians I like. Valérie Lemercier, Kad Merad, Daniel Prévost are all comedians that can make me laugh, and for the smaller roles Anémone, Michel Galabru, François Damiens and best Belgian joke teller Renaud Rutten, all people that have a funny bone. But it's only fair to say all credits for the success of this movie are going to the very young cast. Promising kids as actors that made Le Petit Nicholas a most enjoyable movie to watch. The wild imagination and thoughts of the kids made the story funny, a thing I wasn't expecting. You don't necessarily have to be French to understand the comedy, my wife isn't and she did enjoy the movie as well. Le Petit Nicholas, well made, good humor and entertaining story, give it a go!

A very cute film with an interesting plot and beautiful scenes of urban France.

It is better than Diary of a Wimpy Kid,much better. It has a more interesting story and characters that give the film a funny twist. I like the fact that it shows a importance of education in French society.

Many American films directed in the U.S. don't emphasize any educational values including Diary of the Wimpy Kid.

I give it stars.

I do recommend it to everyone.

I purchased and downloaded the movie for my students. When the downloading was done, and I clicked on Play, it was actually a different movie. I would like to request a refund. I am looking for the movie Little Nichloas which was about a little French boy who felt jealous or intimidated of his up-coming new baby sister/ brother and he decided to kidnap his baby brother/ sister. But the movie played was actually a BUNCH of creepy guys dancing on the each through the entire movie, I didn't know what they were doing, But just looks creepy and very depressing. The customer service people say that sometimes publishers could make a mistake.

Firstly ,i really like France movie which has its own special style,especially comedy.this is also a great comedy about children. This movie is about a boy who misunderstanding his parents want to born a younger brother and abandon him,he try his best to make his parents happy that they won't abandon him,during these time, he find that the wish he want is make everyone happy finally. His friends are also very funny, and the movie is also interesting. Maybe the charm of movie is to free us from the mass life and feel the simple happiness.