The Château (2001)

Two brothers go to France to claim the chateau they have inherited.

Director:

Jesse Peretz

Writers:

Thomas Bidegain (idea), Jesse Peretz

Stars:

Sylvie Testud, Benjamin Tessier, Paul Rudd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvie Testud	...	Isabelle
Benjamin Tessier	...	Sebastien
Philippe Nahon	...	Pierre
Marie Verdi	...	Sabine
Didier Flamand	...	Jean
Paul Rudd	...	Graham Granville
Romany Malco	...	Allen 'Rex' Granville
Nathalie Jouen	...	Real Estate Agent
James Lyons	...	First Family of Buyers (as Jim Lyons)
Pierre Michaud	...	First Family of Buyers
Christian Marti	...	Second Family of Buyers
Marina Girand	...	Second Family of Buyers
Jonathan Grosskopf	...	Second Family of Buyers
Alexis Grosskopf	...	Second Family of Buyers
Adèle Grosskopf	...	Second Family of Buyers

Storyline

When two American brothers, Graham and Allen Granville, learn that they have inherited a chateau in France, they cannot believe their luck. However, when they arrive, the brothers find themselves completely ill-equipped to communicate with the chateau's staff (even with the help of a pocket dictionary). With no hope of paying off the chateau's enormous debt, the pair are forced to sell the chateau, leaving a bewildered staff resorting to desperate and hilarious measures to keep their home. Through a series of comedic misunderstandings, the film's stars not only uncover they're not as distant from the staff as they might think, they also discover something about the importance of family.

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Plot Keywords:

chateau | france | mansion | debt | butler | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

16 January 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

Il maggiordomo del castello

Filming Locations:

Pithiviers, Loiret, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$15,968 (USA) (9 August 2002)

Gross:

$200,122 (USA) (8 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crossroads Films, Forensic Films, GreeneStreet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

C`e un great filme!

This film made me laugh hard like no other has for a VERY long time. Paul Rudd is fantastic as the culturally inept but big-hearted Graham while Romany Malco plays the all-too-smooth, self proclaimed "professional", Allen (Rex)to perfection. The film follows their misadventures as they travel to the south of France to claim the chateau which their great-uncle Jacques has left to them at his passing. The stuff that ensues is none too surprising - miscommunications due to language barriers, slapstick style antics from the devious servants,Pierre and Sabine - but it works. A stand out performance comes from Sylvie Testud, the seemingly timid maid, Isabelle, whose subtle performance is the glue of the film. If you have a sense of humour and a pulse, this movie is for you.