Walk this Way have just released nine excellent French comedies to video on demand. If you’re a bit bored of the same old Hollywood remakes, go European and enjoy one of these instead. Here’s a brief guide to some of the movies.
The Brats (2013)
Starts with a classic boy meets girl scenario and follows the various stages of being a couple, from the first kiss to exchanging vows, before delving into the main plot. When Thomas (comedian Max Boublil, known for his musical comedy sketches) meets his future father-in-law (Alain Chabat), he convinces him to give up everything – including his own daughter – and join him in living life like a carefree kid.
Convinced he’s been given a second chance, Gilbert rediscovers his taste for freedom and with plenty of money to burn, he sets out to reclaim his lost youth, while trying to dissuade his new best friend from making the same mistakes he did by marrying fiancee Lola (Mélanie Bernier), his own daughter. Thomas gradually gets caught up in his buddy’s excitement as Gilbert embarks on new adventures like there’s no tomorrow. But what price do you pay to live your dreams?
The Brats was the seventh most-watched local film in France in 2013, racking up more than 1.6 million cinema admissions.
Superchondriac (2014)
A few years after their smash hit ‘Welcome to the Sticks’ French cinema’s winning combination of Dany Boon and Kad Merad are back, . The titular ‘Superchondriac’ is Romain (Boon), whose only friend is his doctor, Dimitri.
Desperate to rid himself of this most irritating of patients, Dimitri will try anything to help Romain find love. But things don’t turn out quite as expected. A huge success at the French box office, Supercondriac attracted 1.7 million admissions in 5 days, making it the most successful launch for a French film since 2011 and the filmaker’s previous work, Nothing to Declare.
The Scapegoat (2012)
Nicolas Bary revisits Daniel Pennac’s literary saga about the Malaussène family, this time we encounter Benjamin (Raphaël Personnaz), the eldest son of a large family, and a professional scapegoat, as, despite his best efforts, he becomes embroiled in a series of incidents. A journalist, ‘Aunt Julia’ (Bérénice Béjo), comes to the rescue of our professional idiot. The Scapegoat will be available in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria and Great Britain.
The Scapegoat is adapted from a book of the same name by French writer Daniel Pennac. It is the first novel in the very successful Malaussène series, which comprises of six volumes and was published between 1985 and 1999. The carefully executed artistic direction, in combination with music by Rolfe Kent (Dexter, The Men Who Stare at Goats), captures the story’s zany ambiance.
Paulette (2012) is a bitter old woman, struggling to make ends meet. Taking inspiration from local youths, Paulette finds a somewhat unconventional way to improve her situation: she starts selling cannabis, but adding in her own personal touch… Jérôme Enrico directs Bernadette Lafont, the face of the New Wave, in her last ever role.
In Pop Redemption (2013), four friends in a black-metal band are set to perform the concert of their life at Hellfest, one of France’s most important music festivals. Now in their thirties, this unimagined opportunity could be their last shot at success, especially as the four find themselves pursued by the police and having to pass themselves off as a ‘flower power’ pop group. Julien Doré, winner of TV talent show La Nouvelle Star in 2007, stars in this homage to the Beatles.
The Gilded Cage (2013) returns to the theme of the Portuguese community in France. When their neighbours learn that concierge couple Maria and José Ribeiro are planning to return to their beloved Portugal, they do everything in their power to keep their indispensable friends in Paris.
The Dandelions (2012) is the story of nine-year-old Rachel who encounters the intrepid Valérie, and so discovers the irresistible taste of friendship and freedom. Agnès Jaoui, Denis Podalydès and Isabelle Carré star in this family film by Carine Tardieu.
To see the full line up of French Comedies from ‘Walk This Way’ click HERE