Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis
Although I have planned to watch this film with Shii for a long time, and although I knew that the movie was probably the most popular movie in France, honestly I wasn’t entirely convinced that I would like this movie. Now I don’t even remember why I got the feeling that I might not like the humour in the film – perhaps it’s because I have seen so many French films and this one seems to be very different from the Nouvelle Vagues that I am so used to. I was scared of the unknown, that’s it.
Of course I was entirely wrong. „Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis“ is a whole lot of fun even when you are not French, and while it totally ignores the real picture of France today, it manages to create an incredibly funny atmosphere. This story so devoid of realism was probably what frustrated French people want to see in their country now – as simple, honest and thoroughly likeable.
Enough of those politics, although it’s actually very easy to do that considering the success of the Ch’tis and how much it became a mass phenomenon. Let’s talk about the movie itself… Not. Just like many comedies, this is a film that you simply must see. In fact you should see it in French with French subtitles. The language of the Ch’tis are absolutely hilarious and I can’t see how it is possible to even translate that. Story-wise, the majority of the film is very predictable. Especially at the beginning, where you perfectly know that our main character is going to end up in Nord Pas-de-Calais, the first 20 minutes were not all that funny. The true greatness of the film clearly kicks in when he starts interacting with the Ch’tis, and how he slowly became friends with them. Towards the end though, the film became incredibly unrealistic (with the mother suddenly deciding that she will let her son go) yet so immensely cute with the love confession. I am sure we are a whole generation who wants to be proposed to like that now! XD
Finally, of course the Ch’tis doesn’t really have any artistic merit like we are used to from French movies. It will never appear on any critics’ favorites list. But it was so much fun to watch!
I will bravely try to watch it with french subtitles! A man needs a challenge from time to time!
Very good! I am so proud of you~
The best part was how the Ch’tis wanted to shock “the bitch”. XD It was great fun, indeed.
Hahaha, that was the best indeed! But then again, it was kind of predictable too… At any rate, the Ch’tis are a lot of fun. I wish we had watched it at a PIFF.