Bienvenue chez les Rozes

Countless are those films that have been made based on the premise of criminals, or specifically escaped convicts, taking hostages. None of them have been like this, though. What an absolute delight! Wry, cheeky, morbid comedy fills these ninety minutes right from the start; writer-director Francis Palluau has treated us to some of the best, smartest situational comedy I've seen in a long time. As Gilbert and GM encounter the Roze family they quickly discover they're in over their heads in ways that neither they, nor we, could have possibly anticipated. And the result is a blast from start to finish; 'Bienvenue chez les Rozes' is an instant modern classic!

Truly, Palluau has given us a gift. The screenplay is a minor marvel, with dialogue, scene writing, and especially characters that are weird, wild, and wonderfully imaginative; the narrative twists a familiar notion into a splendid, vibrant, endlessly playful new shape. His direction is just as sharp in arranging every shot and scene, heightening the humor in every way possible, and to that end this is a tremendous credit as well to cinematographer Romain Winding for such vivid, dynamic camerawork. Between these elements alone and Véronique Parnet's keen editing, the comedic timing at all points is exceptional, making this picture the most fun I've had in some time. And speaking of fun, I have to assume every day of filming was a joyful romp, like the end result, more than work, because it definitely seems like the cast is having the time of their lives. Carole Bouquet, Clémence Poésy, André Wilms, Jean Dujardin, Lorànt Deutsch, and all others fully embrace the silly, offbeat tenor of the project, to the point that even if 'Bienvenue chez les Rozes' didn't pass muster otherwise, their wholehearted energy would be infectious enough to carry the day on on its own.

Rounded out with fantastic production design, art direction, costume design, hair, makeup, and effects, I cannot overstate how terrifically entertaining this is. Even flashbacks are employed more fruitfully than we sometimes get in other features as they further both the narrative and the comedy. It's a shame this isn't more well known, and I'm a bit aghast that I only stumbled onto it by chance. Suffice to say that as far as I'm concerned this movie is altogether brilliant, and 'Bienvenue chez les Rozes' earns my enthusiastic recommendation for one and all!