mardosha Reviews

What's Cooking in Paris (1966)

Step in the restaurant where humor is served hot and cold!

[15 February 2002]

As a Funés fan, it's hard for me to pick the best ones, but this would definitely stand in my top ten! ...or say top fifteen. This time he is the chef of very exclusive Paris restaurant.

Choleric as ever, he wants everything to be in the right order or even better. Problems occur when president of one unnamed country gets kidnaped while having a dinner at Septim's. With police and gangsters behind his back he tries to find the missing head of state by himself. And obviously a lot of fun happens during this adventure.

Funés is gorgeous as always, very energetic with funny gesticulation. The plot is simple, but cleverly written with many surprising turnovers. And add in the fabulous scene where DS Citroen falls into Sienna river, continuing its ride as a boat and you get the great entertaining movie of comedy empire of those times! Step in, tastes fresh and makes you laugh after all these years:-)

Tender Scoundrel (1966)

Paris, Tahiti, sixties & Belmondo!

[8/10 · 15 February 2002]

This is one of my personal favorites of Belmondo movies. Maybe because it's a little strange one. Especially the plot which goes from one place to another without much progress, characters pop in and pop out... Some characters you think are very important lost in the middle and you don't see them no more.

There's not too much action like in "Men" titles of those times (From Rio and From Hong Kong), but there is more fun! Especially the first half is excellent. Full of gags, lies, pretends and embarrassments. As the main character goes to world-round trip, the plot is little slowing, but still Belmondo doesn't let you bore.

And there is one more thing I like about this movie: the colours. They are very warm and rich, just in the sixties style. Throughout. In apartments, in Paris, on the boat. Very sunny movie!

I'm Shy, But I'll Heal (1978)

French comedy from its golden era

[9/10 · 12 February 2002]

Excellent comedy! One of the best Pierre Richard played in and one of the few he directed. He is, as many times, very shy and unpractical guy who falls in love with unreachable woman, this time even from higher society. But Pierre here gives a great performance which makes it very funny to watch and on the other hand very believable. My favorite is the final "rescue scene". Dressed as fireman, he tries to be a hero and rescue her from flames. Try to imagine how successful he is. Or...don't try, better see it. When I first saw it on Czech TV I fell twice from bed laughing...