A Little Something Extra

A classic story framework, based on making amends and redemption, dealt with here in the world of a group of educators who accompany the mentally handicapped on their summer vacation.

The group finds itself unwittingly infiltrated by two escaped bank robbers, which gives them good cover, at least for a while. The film then plays with the intrusion of these supposedly normal people into the group. Of course, this allows the film to develop a story that highlights the humanity or de-humanity of the various characters, both normal and abnormal, by creating little stories between them. Humor, tenderness, stupidity, gratuitous malice, prejudice, good humor, mischief, many things are brought together in different ways, both on the side of the people who supervise and on that of the handicapped. In short, the film speaks of human beings, in its own way, in all their diversity.

The fact that the film uses real disabled people, and therefore non-professional actors, is a good thing. Their handicaps and their humanity are well integrated into the drama, and the value of having non-professional actors in a cast is well established (see some of Bruno Dumont's films).

Un P'ti Truc En Plus (or A Little Something Extra for the English title) is a lighthearted French comedy. Most of the actors are disabled or mentally challenged, but they were a joy to watch. Credits to them for making this a funny and easy-to-watch movie. There are enough funny scenes to keep you entertained. It's not to be taken too seriously, the message is clear, everybody can learn something from somebody else, disabled or not. Some people might not find it funny but then again comedy is the most difficult genre to please everybody as we all have a different sense of humour. My wife and I did enjoy it, like many others will.

"Un p'tit truc en plus," directed by Artus, is a French comedy released in May 2024. The story follows a father and his son on the run who hide in a colo for young adults with disabilities. They pretend to be a boarder and his educator, which leads to funny and moving moments.

The film perfectly mixes humor and drama, showing the challenges of people with disabilities without mockery. The actors, including Artus, Clovis Cornillac and Alice Belaïdi, are excellent and make the film touching.

Basically, "Un'tit truc en plus" is a film to see absolutely, which makes you laugh and think, with a lot of heart and meaning.

I chose to watch this movie on a flight without any expectations, but I'm so glad I did. It's been a while since a film made me laugh this hard. Being on a plane, I had to keep my laughter quiet, but inside, I was cracking up! What a joy to watch. The actors are so genuine and endearing. It might resonate more with those familiar with French culture, especially with its setting in the beautiful French countryside. The film also makes you reflect on the people who work with and care for those with 'a little something extra.' Forget the misery in the news-watch this movie with your family and enjoy!"

UN P'TIT TRUC EN PLUS was unexpectedly great.

J'adore français, but this movie makes you laugh, and probably have a tear rolling over your cheek.

The people in the movie were real people, and if you don't love the actors, you must have a cold heart.

The supervisors of the group of (mentally) disabled people are supervisors who work from their heart. They are an example of the whole social work industry.

The humor in this movie is the old-fashioned slapstick humor you cannot ignore. You see the beauty of France and the love between the players.

I'm 100% sure I will see this movie again.

Artus did a fantastic Job!