Claude Lelouch, the Oscar-winning director of “A Man and a Woman,” is getting ready to direct “Finalement…,” his next film which he says will be a sort of sequel to his BAFTA-nominated film “Happy New Year” and “L’aventure, l’aventure.” The lighthearted movie will reteam Lelouch with Metropolitan FilmExport which is co-producing with Lelouch’s banner Les Films 13, and will distribute in France.
Scored by popular French singer Ibrahim Maalouf, “Finalement…” will boast a large ensemble cast of French stars, including Kad Merad (“Baron Noir”), Elsa Zylberstein (“Simone”), Sandrine Bonnaire, Raphael Mezrahi, Michel Boujenah and Barbara Pravi.
Merad will play a powerful lawyer who sees his life take an unexpected turn after a health issue removes his ability to lie and forces him to speak without any filter. Merad’s character embarks on a road trip across France, from Paris to the Normandie, to the Mont St Michel, Avignon...
Scored by popular French singer Ibrahim Maalouf, “Finalement…” will boast a large ensemble cast of French stars, including Kad Merad (“Baron Noir”), Elsa Zylberstein (“Simone”), Sandrine Bonnaire, Raphael Mezrahi, Michel Boujenah and Barbara Pravi.
Merad will play a powerful lawyer who sees his life take an unexpected turn after a health issue removes his ability to lie and forces him to speak without any filter. Merad’s character embarks on a road trip across France, from Paris to the Normandie, to the Mont St Michel, Avignon...
- 5/21/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Violin prodigy Alix Vaillot [pictured] stars as a musician battling blindness.
Gaumont has been pulling in sales on Michel Boujenah’s touching drama Heartstrings, starring French violin prodigy Alix Vaillot as a young musician battling blindness, ahead of its official roll-out at the Afm. Other cast include Charles Berling and Pascal Elbe.
The film has sold to Japan (Kino Films), Canada (Az Films) and Korea (Woo Sung). A deal to Germany and Switzerland (Ascot Elite) was announced over the summer. “It’s rare to get a Japanese pre-sale on a script for a French film,” comments Gaumont’s deputy head of international sales Yohann Comte.
The comedy-drama – based on Pascal Ruter’s best-seller Le Coeur en Braille – is in the vein of this year’s French box-office hit La Famille Bélier, adds Comte. Vaillot plays a young girl with musical aspirations, battling her parents’ plans to put her in an institution for the blind. Such a move...
Gaumont has been pulling in sales on Michel Boujenah’s touching drama Heartstrings, starring French violin prodigy Alix Vaillot as a young musician battling blindness, ahead of its official roll-out at the Afm. Other cast include Charles Berling and Pascal Elbe.
The film has sold to Japan (Kino Films), Canada (Az Films) and Korea (Woo Sung). A deal to Germany and Switzerland (Ascot Elite) was announced over the summer. “It’s rare to get a Japanese pre-sale on a script for a French film,” comments Gaumont’s deputy head of international sales Yohann Comte.
The comedy-drama – based on Pascal Ruter’s best-seller Le Coeur en Braille – is in the vein of this year’s French box-office hit La Famille Bélier, adds Comte. Vaillot plays a young girl with musical aspirations, battling her parents’ plans to put her in an institution for the blind. Such a move...
- 11/4/2015
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Violin prodigy Alix Vaillot [pictured] stars as a musician battling blindness.
Gaumont has been pulling in sales on Michel Boujenah’s touching drama Heartstrings, starring French violin prodigy Alix Vaillot as a young musician battling blindness, ahead of its official roll-out at the Afm. Other cast include Charles Berling and Pascal Elbe.
The film has sold to Japan (Kino Films), Canada (Az Films) and Korea (Woo Sung). A deal to Germany and Switzerland (Ascot Elite) was announced over the summer. “It’s rare to get a Japanese pre-sale on a script for a French film,” comments Gaumont’s deputy head of international sales Yohann Comte.
The comedy-drama – based on Pascal Ruter’s best-seller Le Coeur en Braille – is in the vein of this year’s French box-office hit La Famille Bélier, adds Comte. Vaillot plays a young girl with musical aspirations, battling her parents’ plans to put her in an institution for the blind. Such a move...
Gaumont has been pulling in sales on Michel Boujenah’s touching drama Heartstrings, starring French violin prodigy Alix Vaillot as a young musician battling blindness, ahead of its official roll-out at the Afm. Other cast include Charles Berling and Pascal Elbe.
The film has sold to Japan (Kino Films), Canada (Az Films) and Korea (Woo Sung). A deal to Germany and Switzerland (Ascot Elite) was announced over the summer. “It’s rare to get a Japanese pre-sale on a script for a French film,” comments Gaumont’s deputy head of international sales Yohann Comte.
The comedy-drama – based on Pascal Ruter’s best-seller Le Coeur en Braille – is in the vein of this year’s French box-office hit La Famille Bélier, adds Comte. Vaillot plays a young girl with musical aspirations, battling her parents’ plans to put her in an institution for the blind. Such a move...
- 11/4/2015
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Gaumont, The Solution pre-buys among deals.
Euro distributor Ascot Elite has finalised deals for German-speaking Europe on a trio of Cannes market titles, including upcoming Jk Simmons (Whiplash) and Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) comedy The Runaround from The Solution.
Due to shoot this summer in Los Angeles, Gavin Wiesen will direct The Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
From Gaumont, the outfit pre-bought new French drama-comedy Le Coeur en Braille from Cesar-winning actor-director Michel Boujenah.
Set to shoot this August, Pascal Elbe (The Other Son) and Charles Berling (March of the Penguins) are among the cast of the drama based on Pascal Ruten’s novel about the friendship between a cellist who is losing her sight and a young boy who helps her hide the condition from her...
Euro distributor Ascot Elite has finalised deals for German-speaking Europe on a trio of Cannes market titles, including upcoming Jk Simmons (Whiplash) and Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) comedy The Runaround from The Solution.
Due to shoot this summer in Los Angeles, Gavin Wiesen will direct The Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
From Gaumont, the outfit pre-bought new French drama-comedy Le Coeur en Braille from Cesar-winning actor-director Michel Boujenah.
Set to shoot this August, Pascal Elbe (The Other Son) and Charles Berling (March of the Penguins) are among the cast of the drama based on Pascal Ruten’s novel about the friendship between a cellist who is losing her sight and a young boy who helps her hide the condition from her...
- 6/3/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Catherine Deneuve: César Award Besst Actress Record-Tier (photo: Catherine Deneuve in 'In the Courtyard / Dans la cour') (See previous post: "Kristen Stewart and Catherine Deneuve Make César Award History.") Catherine Deneuve has received 12 Best Actress César nominations to date. Deneuve's nods were for the following movies (year of film's release): Pierre Salvadori's In the Courtyard / Dans la Cour (2014). Emmanuelle Bercot's On My Way / Elle s'en va (2013). François Ozon's Potiche (2010). Nicole Garcia's Place Vendôme (1998). André Téchiné's Thieves / Les voleurs (1996). André Téchiné's My Favorite Season / Ma saison préférée (1993). Régis Wargnier's Indochine (1992). François Dupeyron's Strange Place for an Encounter / Drôle d'endroit pour une rencontre (1988). Jean-Pierre Mocky's Agent trouble (1987). André Téchiné's Hotel America / Hôtel des Amériques (1981). François Truffaut's The Last Metro / Le dernier métro (1980). Jean-Paul Rappeneau's Le sauvage (1975). Additionally, Catherine Deneuve was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category...
- 1/30/2015
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Film: "Cinderella"; Cast: Yolande Moreau, Alexandra Lamy, Isabelle Nanty, Antoine de Caunes and Michel Boujenah; Director: Pascal Herold; Rating: *
This 3D animated "Cinderella" story is a far cry from the original classic, written by Charles Perrault in 'Histoires ou contes du temps passe"or by Brothers Grimm in their folk tale collection "Grimms' Fairy Tales". This animated film has a 'Western' flavour blended with fantasy.
In director Pascal Herold's version, the action takes place in a city named Felicity, a place very much like the Wild West. Here, a Red Indian Styled witch-doctor, Little Cloud, is substituted for.
This 3D animated "Cinderella" story is a far cry from the original classic, written by Charles Perrault in 'Histoires ou contes du temps passe"or by Brothers Grimm in their folk tale collection "Grimms' Fairy Tales". This animated film has a 'Western' flavour blended with fantasy.
In director Pascal Herold's version, the action takes place in a city named Felicity, a place very much like the Wild West. Here, a Red Indian Styled witch-doctor, Little Cloud, is substituted for.
- 6/1/2013
- by Arun Pandit
- RealBollywood.com
From Anchor Bay Entertainment, distributed worldwide by Cinemavault International, director Pascal Hérold's 2012 animated family feature "Cinderella", will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack, March 12, 2013, starring thge voices of Alexandra Lamy, Yolande Moreau, Isabelle Nanty, Antoine de Caunes and Michel Boujenah:
"...once upon a time in the wild west, there was a secluded, pigtailed cowgirl who worked day and night for her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters in their dusty frontier town.
"When the mother of handsome 'Prince Vladimir' is kidnapped by high-flying desert pirates, 'Cinderella', with the help of her magical native spiritualist, takes off on an action-packed quest to rescue the 'Duchess', claim the missing tooth she lost at the ball, and capture the Prince’s heart to become a real princess..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Cinderella"...
"...once upon a time in the wild west, there was a secluded, pigtailed cowgirl who worked day and night for her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters in their dusty frontier town.
"When the mother of handsome 'Prince Vladimir' is kidnapped by high-flying desert pirates, 'Cinderella', with the help of her magical native spiritualist, takes off on an action-packed quest to rescue the 'Duchess', claim the missing tooth she lost at the ball, and capture the Prince’s heart to become a real princess..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Cinderella"...
- 3/13/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
PARIS -- The divorce papers were finalized Sunday as the end officially arrived for the three-year joint distribution venture Gaumont Columbia TriStar France.
As the U.S. studio and French major go their separate ways, the Columbia TriStar label is taking on its mother studio's name, Sony Pictures France. Sony's 32-strong team will continue to be run by Eric Brune, with Alexandre Bihn heading up the marketing division and Etienne Reynard head of sales.
From now through the end of the year, Sony will release six films in French theaters including Hostel: Part II on July 11, Daddy Day Camp on Aug. 15 and Surf's Up on Oct. 24, for a total of 15 films in 2007. The studio plans to increase its theatrical output in the territory to 18-22 films next year.
After a successful 2006 boxoffice that featured You Are So Handsome, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies and The Valet, Gaumont is hoping for a strong second half of 2007 with seven titles including Michel Boujenah's 3 Friends on Aug. 22; Christine Carriere's Darling on Nov. 7, starring Cesar-winner Guillaume Canet; and Djamel Bensalah's Big City, starring only children, Dec. 12.
"We'll miss our colleagues at Columbia, that's for sure."...
As the U.S. studio and French major go their separate ways, the Columbia TriStar label is taking on its mother studio's name, Sony Pictures France. Sony's 32-strong team will continue to be run by Eric Brune, with Alexandre Bihn heading up the marketing division and Etienne Reynard head of sales.
From now through the end of the year, Sony will release six films in French theaters including Hostel: Part II on July 11, Daddy Day Camp on Aug. 15 and Surf's Up on Oct. 24, for a total of 15 films in 2007. The studio plans to increase its theatrical output in the territory to 18-22 films next year.
After a successful 2006 boxoffice that featured You Are So Handsome, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies and The Valet, Gaumont is hoping for a strong second half of 2007 with seven titles including Michel Boujenah's 3 Friends on Aug. 22; Christine Carriere's Darling on Nov. 7, starring Cesar-winner Guillaume Canet; and Djamel Bensalah's Big City, starring only children, Dec. 12.
"We'll miss our colleagues at Columbia, that's for sure."...
MONTREAL -- Rowan Atkinson, Rob Corddry and Marlon Wayans will next month headline Comedia, the Just for Laughs comedy festival's film sidebar, organizers said Tuesday.
Britain's Atkinson will be in Montreal to introduce a screening of "Mr. Bean's Holiday" while Corddry will stump for his latest feature, "The Ten". Also bound for the 11th installment of Comedia is French director Michel Boujenah ("Three Men and a Baby"), who will preview his latest comedy, "3 Amis", as well as the French version of "Hairspray".
Wayans will host "The Best of Comedia" showcase on July 18.
Just For Laughs COO Bruce Hills told reporters that Comedia, set to run July 12-22, is the largest festival of comic shorts worldwide.
Hills described this year's lineup as "by far the most ambitious festival to date," with a record 125 short films from 16 countries unspooling.
Also on tap for Montreal, as part of Comedia's "Big Stars, Short Films" program, is "My Wife is Retarded", an off-the-wall exploration of mariage from Sean Astin; "I Am Bob?" which portrays rock star Bob Geldoff auditioning for the role of a Bob Geldof impersonator; and a mockumentary from Rainn Wilson ("The Office") titled "Lance is a Jerk", in which he plays the personal assistant of cycling legend Lance Armstrong.
Britain's Atkinson will be in Montreal to introduce a screening of "Mr. Bean's Holiday" while Corddry will stump for his latest feature, "The Ten". Also bound for the 11th installment of Comedia is French director Michel Boujenah ("Three Men and a Baby"), who will preview his latest comedy, "3 Amis", as well as the French version of "Hairspray".
Wayans will host "The Best of Comedia" showcase on July 18.
Just For Laughs COO Bruce Hills told reporters that Comedia, set to run July 12-22, is the largest festival of comic shorts worldwide.
Hills described this year's lineup as "by far the most ambitious festival to date," with a record 125 short films from 16 countries unspooling.
Also on tap for Montreal, as part of Comedia's "Big Stars, Short Films" program, is "My Wife is Retarded", an off-the-wall exploration of mariage from Sean Astin; "I Am Bob?" which portrays rock star Bob Geldoff auditioning for the role of a Bob Geldof impersonator; and a mockumentary from Rainn Wilson ("The Office") titled "Lance is a Jerk", in which he plays the personal assistant of cycling legend Lance Armstrong.
- 6/20/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Little Bear, Max Films Prods.,
Ajoz Films, Gaumont
PARIS -- Comic-actor Michel Boujenah has chosen a gentle road movie for his first foray into the directing world. "Pere et Fils" explores the complicated road map of the relationship between fathers and sons but fails to come up with anything fresh and new. Not that French audiences mind as they've taken the movie to their hearts with a decent boxoffice tallys.
The story follows Leo's (Philippe Noiret) attempt to bring his family closer together. He has three sons: David (Charles Berling) is the eldest. He's rich and runs a successful small business that employs the youngest son, Simon (Pascal Elbe). The middle son, Max (Bruno Putzulu), is unemployed. He and David are estranged, and Leo hopes a family trip to Quebec will mend bridges between the two. Leo pretends he is seriously ill so the sons will agree to the trip. The ruse works, and the sons reluctantly accompany Papa on what they believe will be his last vacation.
The movie runs a predictable course, with Boujenah opting for laughs rather than digging below the surface. Leo is a strict patriarch, and the way his sons are bound to him by a sense of filial duty is reminiscent of a much earlier time. Today, do grown men in their 30s bend to Daddy's will even when it's against their own interests? Do they so easily turn a cheek when he lies, bullies and manipulates them?
Avoiding the issue of how the relationship between generations has changed during the past 30 years, Boujenah stays on safer ground. Tackling the relationship among the brothers is less complex and more easily resolved. Eventually, a bar-room brawl sparks intense bonding among the siblings, and all is forgiven.
Boujenah is more comfortable with the movie's humorous side as he has a sharp eye for the absurd. For example, he teases out every comic angle from a story line in which Leo consults a notorious, eccentric healer of pigs to cure his alleged illness. However, Noiret stripped to his underwear indulging in a spot of tree-hugging is not a sight easily forgotten.
Noiret is superb as the fiery Leo who wants to connect with his sons before it's too late. The other actors suffer in comparison and at times seem like bit-part players. And Boujenah shows he is an able storyteller. He simply needs to find more dark to contrast with the light.
Ajoz Films, Gaumont
PARIS -- Comic-actor Michel Boujenah has chosen a gentle road movie for his first foray into the directing world. "Pere et Fils" explores the complicated road map of the relationship between fathers and sons but fails to come up with anything fresh and new. Not that French audiences mind as they've taken the movie to their hearts with a decent boxoffice tallys.
The story follows Leo's (Philippe Noiret) attempt to bring his family closer together. He has three sons: David (Charles Berling) is the eldest. He's rich and runs a successful small business that employs the youngest son, Simon (Pascal Elbe). The middle son, Max (Bruno Putzulu), is unemployed. He and David are estranged, and Leo hopes a family trip to Quebec will mend bridges between the two. Leo pretends he is seriously ill so the sons will agree to the trip. The ruse works, and the sons reluctantly accompany Papa on what they believe will be his last vacation.
The movie runs a predictable course, with Boujenah opting for laughs rather than digging below the surface. Leo is a strict patriarch, and the way his sons are bound to him by a sense of filial duty is reminiscent of a much earlier time. Today, do grown men in their 30s bend to Daddy's will even when it's against their own interests? Do they so easily turn a cheek when he lies, bullies and manipulates them?
Avoiding the issue of how the relationship between generations has changed during the past 30 years, Boujenah stays on safer ground. Tackling the relationship among the brothers is less complex and more easily resolved. Eventually, a bar-room brawl sparks intense bonding among the siblings, and all is forgiven.
Boujenah is more comfortable with the movie's humorous side as he has a sharp eye for the absurd. For example, he teases out every comic angle from a story line in which Leo consults a notorious, eccentric healer of pigs to cure his alleged illness. However, Noiret stripped to his underwear indulging in a spot of tree-hugging is not a sight easily forgotten.
Noiret is superb as the fiery Leo who wants to connect with his sons before it's too late. The other actors suffer in comparison and at times seem like bit-part players. And Boujenah shows he is an able storyteller. He simply needs to find more dark to contrast with the light.
Little Bear, Max Films Prods.,
Ajoz Films, Gaumont
PARIS -- Comic-actor Michel Boujenah has chosen a gentle road movie for his first foray into the directing world. "Pere et Fils" explores the complicated road map of the relationship between fathers and sons but fails to come up with anything fresh and new. Not that French audiences mind as they've taken the movie to their hearts with a decent boxoffice tallys.
The story follows Leo's (Philippe Noiret) attempt to bring his family closer together. He has three sons: David (Charles Berling) is the eldest. He's rich and runs a successful small business that employs the youngest son, Simon (Pascal Elbe). The middle son, Max (Bruno Putzulu), is unemployed. He and David are estranged, and Leo hopes a family trip to Quebec will mend bridges between the two. Leo pretends he is seriously ill so the sons will agree to the trip. The ruse works, and the sons reluctantly accompany Papa on what they believe will be his last vacation.
The movie runs a predictable course, with Boujenah opting for laughs rather than digging below the surface. Leo is a strict patriarch, and the way his sons are bound to him by a sense of filial duty is reminiscent of a much earlier time. Today, do grown men in their 30s bend to Daddy's will even when it's against their own interests? Do they so easily turn a cheek when he lies, bullies and manipulates them?
Avoiding the issue of how the relationship between generations has changed during the past 30 years, Boujenah stays on safer ground. Tackling the relationship among the brothers is less complex and more easily resolved. Eventually, a bar-room brawl sparks intense bonding among the siblings, and all is forgiven.
Boujenah is more comfortable with the movie's humorous side as he has a sharp eye for the absurd. For example, he teases out every comic angle from a story line in which Leo consults a notorious, eccentric healer of pigs to cure his alleged illness. However, Noiret stripped to his underwear indulging in a spot of tree-hugging is not a sight easily forgotten.
Noiret is superb as the fiery Leo who wants to connect with his sons before it's too late. The other actors suffer in comparison and at times seem like bit-part players. And Boujenah shows he is an able storyteller. He simply needs to find more dark to contrast with the light.
Ajoz Films, Gaumont
PARIS -- Comic-actor Michel Boujenah has chosen a gentle road movie for his first foray into the directing world. "Pere et Fils" explores the complicated road map of the relationship between fathers and sons but fails to come up with anything fresh and new. Not that French audiences mind as they've taken the movie to their hearts with a decent boxoffice tallys.
The story follows Leo's (Philippe Noiret) attempt to bring his family closer together. He has three sons: David (Charles Berling) is the eldest. He's rich and runs a successful small business that employs the youngest son, Simon (Pascal Elbe). The middle son, Max (Bruno Putzulu), is unemployed. He and David are estranged, and Leo hopes a family trip to Quebec will mend bridges between the two. Leo pretends he is seriously ill so the sons will agree to the trip. The ruse works, and the sons reluctantly accompany Papa on what they believe will be his last vacation.
The movie runs a predictable course, with Boujenah opting for laughs rather than digging below the surface. Leo is a strict patriarch, and the way his sons are bound to him by a sense of filial duty is reminiscent of a much earlier time. Today, do grown men in their 30s bend to Daddy's will even when it's against their own interests? Do they so easily turn a cheek when he lies, bullies and manipulates them?
Avoiding the issue of how the relationship between generations has changed during the past 30 years, Boujenah stays on safer ground. Tackling the relationship among the brothers is less complex and more easily resolved. Eventually, a bar-room brawl sparks intense bonding among the siblings, and all is forgiven.
Boujenah is more comfortable with the movie's humorous side as he has a sharp eye for the absurd. For example, he teases out every comic angle from a story line in which Leo consults a notorious, eccentric healer of pigs to cure his alleged illness. However, Noiret stripped to his underwear indulging in a spot of tree-hugging is not a sight easily forgotten.
Noiret is superb as the fiery Leo who wants to connect with his sons before it's too late. The other actors suffer in comparison and at times seem like bit-part players. And Boujenah shows he is an able storyteller. He simply needs to find more dark to contrast with the light.
- 12/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARIS -- It has taken director Coline Serreau 18 years to tackle a sequel to her highly successful "Three Men and a Cradle". The result of nearly two decades of reflection is a gentle, engaging comedy that wisely avoids retreading old ground.
Back in 1985 when Serreau hit the jackpot with her satirical take on fatherhood, there was a wealth of untapped comedy in the idea of three single men bringing up a baby. Eighteen years later, and the world has evolved. Audiences are no longer strangers to the role fathers play in child rearing. Eighteen years later, Jacques (Andre Dussollier), Michel (Michel Boujenah) and Pierre (Roland Giraud) are now watching from the wings as the teenage Marie Madeleine Besson) prepares to leave the nest. Her mother, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), lives in the States and has remarried. She is spending the summer vacation in the south of France with her new American husband and his two teenage sons and invites Marie along. With Marie gone, the three men find their private lives sadly lacking and are soon on their way south.
This sequel springs no surprises. The focus of the film centers on how the three men deal with Marie as a young, independent women. And with some superb ensemble acting from Dussollier, Boujenah and Giraud, the process is both funny and poignant. Serreau hasn't missed the opportunity to revisit some of her favorite themes -- the relationship between men and women and the differences between generations. But there is no battle between the sexes or generation clash. Set against the backdrop of a scorching Provencal summer, relationships ebb and flow at a slow, almost hypnotic pace. Serreau's only dig comes at the expense of the American husband and his sons. John (Ken Samuels) is portrayed as a highly competitive, middle-aged man. The sons neatly fall under the headings "drop-dead gorgeous" for the older and "spotty geek" for the younger. Even here, the barbs are blunt, and it's difficult to take offense at such obvious cliches.
The three main actors step back into the original roles as if they have never been away. It's a rare treat to see a film where the actors have genuinely aged and matured over a period of time. Admirably supported by Besson and Line Renaud as the governess, this film cannot fail to delight.
Back in 1985 when Serreau hit the jackpot with her satirical take on fatherhood, there was a wealth of untapped comedy in the idea of three single men bringing up a baby. Eighteen years later, and the world has evolved. Audiences are no longer strangers to the role fathers play in child rearing. Eighteen years later, Jacques (Andre Dussollier), Michel (Michel Boujenah) and Pierre (Roland Giraud) are now watching from the wings as the teenage Marie Madeleine Besson) prepares to leave the nest. Her mother, Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), lives in the States and has remarried. She is spending the summer vacation in the south of France with her new American husband and his two teenage sons and invites Marie along. With Marie gone, the three men find their private lives sadly lacking and are soon on their way south.
This sequel springs no surprises. The focus of the film centers on how the three men deal with Marie as a young, independent women. And with some superb ensemble acting from Dussollier, Boujenah and Giraud, the process is both funny and poignant. Serreau hasn't missed the opportunity to revisit some of her favorite themes -- the relationship between men and women and the differences between generations. But there is no battle between the sexes or generation clash. Set against the backdrop of a scorching Provencal summer, relationships ebb and flow at a slow, almost hypnotic pace. Serreau's only dig comes at the expense of the American husband and his sons. John (Ken Samuels) is portrayed as a highly competitive, middle-aged man. The sons neatly fall under the headings "drop-dead gorgeous" for the older and "spotty geek" for the younger. Even here, the barbs are blunt, and it's difficult to take offense at such obvious cliches.
The three main actors step back into the original roles as if they have never been away. It's a rare treat to see a film where the actors have genuinely aged and matured over a period of time. Admirably supported by Besson and Line Renaud as the governess, this film cannot fail to delight.
- 2/11/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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