Happiness Is in the Field (1995)
"Le bonheur est dans le pré" (original title)

Francis, the boss of a small plumbing supply company, is harassed by tax collectors, striking employees, and an impossible wife and daughter. His only joy is sharing lunch with his friend ... See full summary »

Director:

Étienne Chatiliez

Writer:

Florence Quentin

Stars:

Michel Serrault, Eddy Mitchell, Sabine Azéma

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michel Serrault	...	Francis Bergeade
Eddy Mitchell	...	Gérard 'Gégé' Tilier
Sabine Azéma	...	Nicole Bergeade
Carmen Maura	...	Dolores Thivart
François Morel	...	Pouillaud
Guilaine Londez	...	Zig Thivart
Virginie Darmon	...	Puce Thivart
Alexandra London	...	Géraldine Bergeade
Christophe Kourotchkine	...	Rémi
Jean Bousquet	...	Père Léonard
Eric Cantona	...	Lionel - un rugbyman
Joël Cantona	...	Nono
Catherine Jacob	...	Lolotte - la femme d' André
Daniel Russo	...	André - le patron de l'hôtel-restaurant
Roger Gicquel	...	Charles - un animateur TV

Storyline

Francis, the boss of a small plumbing supply company, is harassed by tax collectors, striking employees, and an impossible wife and daughter. His only joy is sharing lunch with his friend Gerard. Then a TV show called "where are you?" shows a woman from Gers who is searching for her husband who disappeared 28 years ago. The lost husband looks like an identical twin of Francis...

---

Plot Keywords:

impersonation | rural setting | gascony | strike | southern france | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

31 January 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Happiness Is in the Field

Filming Locations:

Auch, Gers, France

Box Office

Gross:

$414,736 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Téléma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Vibroboy (1994)

User Reviews

Lots of laughs in the face of adversity

Fleeing to a countrified life style is a common escape for city folk immersed in problems. Francis Bergeade (Michael Serrault) grabs an opportunity to do just that when a TV show designed to find missing persons displays a convincing photograph of him for all the world to see. He soon finds himself leading an idyllic life on a farm with a kind and understanding wife, not like the aggressive spoilt brat he left behind in the city.

Much of the humour of this film centres around his friend Gerard (Eddy Mitchell) who is a great manipulator of events. It seems Gerard is enjoying the company of both wives even putting a smile on the face of the lazy wingeing one. There is some entertaining script writing here, both witty and believable.

Life on the farm is well photographed and the daily routine well documented, even the preparation of the goose pate of which there is plenty. There remains however the underlying suspicion that the real husband that disappeared 23 years ago could turn up at any moment. A criminal offence would thus be exposed.

An investigation of the details regarding the lost husband leads to some surprising discoveries.

It's a pleasant little film that has you smiling all the way through. Ignorance is bliss, they say. The revelation at the end casts a black cloud over the happy atmosphere. When all is said and done however, some secrets are best left alone.