thegarf

I think this movie is the perfect comedy. The situations of the characters are incredibly terrible, yet they are possible ; the movie surprises you because the fun doesn't come from where you expected it ; and the actors bring a really fantastic performance.

Thierry Lhermitte interprets the really bad minded guy, making fun of not-too-bright people using his situation. His character lives in a world cut in two : the hosts, bright, intelligent, cynic and sarcastic, detached from the difficulties of the "common man", and the guests, faithful, hopeful, passionate... and dumb. On this other side of the balance, Jacques Villeret, gives us an extraordinary performance. He succeeds in using his gentle and friendly physic to reveal a not-so-dumb guy, accumulating mistakes with good will. Pignon admires Brochant because of his social situation, but he is sad for him because of Brochant's cruelty. He plays a formidable clown and a real touching man... he once again reveals a real talent and shows how great an actor of comedy can be.

But the actors are not all that deserves compliments. The story is rich, and well explored. And there's no need for giant sets to see Brochant's cold world crash and change : a single apartment is enough (and they even don't blow it !!!), no special effects (apart from the car crash, which wasn't really necessary to show to let the audience understand)... and still the story goes strong and triggers laughters every second !

You really must go and see this movie. Not only is it great entertainment, but it's also a deep reflection on the human nature and how people's behavior transform when they get richer, how they forget the simple pleasures... I wish I could have given 11 to it !

I just wanted to add a few things to what has already been said about this movie. When I went to see it, I really felt the feelings of the young Marcel, his discovery of a whole wild world during his holidays. I've spent a lot of holiday time in Provence when I was young and it's still true that the first time you meet those landscapes, rocks up to the horizon, with the vibration of warm air and everywhere the sound of crickets... It's like a desert, yet it's full of life, and everything you encounter turns to be a marvel. The movie makes you feel it, with the diner late at night, the peaceful and friendly ambiance... the deafening thunder rolling across the land while a real storm bursts in the sky... the old houses of rough stone, the contrast with the activity of the city... everything's there, and you can almost touch it. And not only can you feel the Provence, but you also experience the evolution of the society of these times, with the funny view of little Marcel (I'll always remember the way he speaks of micro-organisms, how they'd just been discovered and how everyone started to fear them as if they hadn't existed until then !). I personally recommend that you see this movie and "Le château de ma Mère" in a theatre, or with a good sound system to reproduce the ambiance of young Pagnol's life... this film is simple in its purpose, but so rich in its details, sets and views that you would feel frustrated with a bad sound!

Wahooo ! This movie is a masterpiece of entertainment, comedy and mystery ! Yes, it's possible ! I won't repeat the story other people have told, but I want to underline the great performance of Michael J. Fox, ectoplasms Columbo (just look at the car !). The wonder duo Zemeckis/Fox once more brings a great moment of fun and action, this time turning to the deads world... Michael J. Fox is the perfect desperate man living upon scams, of a very particular kind. But I think the real best performance was Comb's. I do particularly like this kind of character, the complete weirdo, totally mad, paranoid, aggressive and terrified, but above all completely unpredictable. They are the real elements of surprise, what scrambles completely the story you were in... and he does his job superbly ! Finally, a word about the FX... splendid digital tricks, the Death looks more real than if you'd seen it in front of you. It's an animal, vicious, powerful and hideous,the mind of a madman with the power of demons... This movie is a great achievment, and guarantees a great evening. And even nightmares, who knows...