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Arsène Lupin (2004)

If you enjoyed the critically acclaimed series Lupin with Omar Sy, you’ll like this movie ! Follow again the adventures of the world-famous gentleman thief from a small boy, through the death of his father, and his adult years. The film stars Romain Duris (currently in Eiffel) and Kristin Scott Thomas.

It’s a modern and spectacular production of a novel written by Maurice Leblanc in 1905. The gentleman thief may be sort of like Robin Hood in that he robs from the rich but with many differences. Great for Saturday afternoon film, you may find it very much unlike any French produced film before.

L’As des As – Ace of Aces (1982)

In a similar vein to Oury’s successful La Grande Vadrouille in 1966, L’As des As is a grand action-comedy set at the time of the Third Reich. Set in 1936, a French boxer on his way to the Berlin Olympic Games befriends a local Jewish boy and decides to save him from the Nazis. It’s a absolute magnificent combination of gags, jokes and fun.

Our national Jean-Paul Belmondo, who recently past away, is Rambo-esque and hugely entertaining. Gerard Oury has also a gift for making us see the funny side of some of humanity’s worst mistakes. This is a Belmondo’s all time favorite.

Un air de Famille – Family Resemblances (1996)

An upper middle-class French family celebrates a birthday in a restaurant. During one diner, family history, tensions, grudges, delights and memories both clash and unite. This is exactly the sort of film you’d never see coming from Hollywood, as it has no flashy stars, a very simple script and it’s about people and relationships. The trio Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnes Jaoui and Cédric Klapisch shines to delivers a stunning flick. If you’ve enjoyed l’Auberge Espagnole (Pot Luck), you’ll recognised the genius and style of famous director Klapisch.

Note : As it involves nonstop dialogue, you may find it a bit difficult to follow the subtitles and grasp the subtle humor if you are at a beginner level.

Le Bonheur est dans le Pré – Happiness is in the Field (1995)

Everything goes awry in the life of Francis Bergeade : his company is in strike, his wife Nicole detests him and he has a heart failure.  All these reasons push him to arrive in the south of France with her two daughters and start a more peaceful life. There’s no mark of social satire like in La vie est un long fleuve tranquille – Life is a long quiet river (1988) or malicious humor as in Tatie Danielle – Auntie Danielle (1990). Etienne Chatiliez shows brilliantly here a quest for pleasure and positive adventures. The tandem Michel Serrault and Eddy Mitchell is delightful. They shine and their friendship impresses.

Chocolat – Mister Chocolat (2016)

French drama film, directed by Roschdy Zem and starring Omar Sy, is based on the real life of the clown Chocolat. He became, in 1886, the first black artist of the French scene. The film is not, however, a biography. It’s more about how far attitudes to race have changed in a century, and how far from enough that still is. The film won a Cesar for Best Production Design.

Deux Fils – Father and Sons (2018)

Félix Moati’s first film is a heart-warming comedy about filial and fraternal ties. Joseph (Benoît Poelvoorde) and his two sons, Joachim (Vincent Lacoste) and Ivan (Mathieu Capella), formed a very close family. However, Ivan, the youngest is angry at his two models, which he sees collapse. Touching and mature, the film provides a pleasant moment of sincerity, but without turning our lives upside down.

L’étudiante – The Student (1988)

L’Etudiante is a film that centres around the relationship between a student teacher called Valentine (Sophie Marceau) and an ambitious but unsuccessful musician named Ned (Vincent Lindon). After La Boum – The Party of Ready for Love – (1980) and La Boum 2 (1982), Sophie Marceau shows she’s absolutely gorgeous and multi-talented.

This underrated romantic comedy is definitely a gem. Nothing spectacular but this is a pleasant rom-com and a cheer-you-up movie when the world is out of control. This is truly a joy. The sets, cinematography, casting, writing, and most of the music is amazing.

La Guerre des Boutons – War of the Buttons (2011)

This charming Irish family film didn’t really receive the attention it deserves. Based on a French novel of the same name it tells the story of two rival villages and the escalating conflict between their children. The cast of non-professional child actors acquit themselves well delivering natural and unpretentious performances. It’s a cute family film that isn’t afraid to show the darker side of life nor the conflict. War of the Buttons is a warm, entertaining but rough around the edges film about childhood and friendship.

Un Homme à la Hauteur – Up for Love (2016)

This is the classic French romantic comedy with a twist. A dashing architect and a lawyer fall in love with each other. The only hitch is that this French lover stands barely 1,40 m tall. Although this predicament is obvious from the beginning, the movie still keeps the story going. It’s especially fun to watch how they make the 1,82 m tall actor Jean Dujardin appear to be only 1,36 m tall by a number of tricks. Virginie Efira and Jean Dujardin (The Artist, OSS 117, Little White Lies,..) are a perfect match.

It is a delightful romance that doubles as a serious essay on dealing with difference. It is heart-warming and awkward, original and familiar, all at the same time.

Le Premier Jour du Reste de ta Vie – The First Day of the Rest of your Life (2008)

Laughter, emotion, melancholy, good music, an ideal cast …What more could Rémy Bezançon ask for ? He evokes with nostalgia and a shared pleasure, five important dates in the life of five members of a French family. Undoubtedly a great success and one the best French films of 2008. To watch without moderation !

Tout ce qui Brille – All That Glitters (2010)

All That Glitters is depicted as a comedy but may feel as a drama. The duo Leïla Bekhti and Géraldine Nakache dream of an easy life with money but have to deal with their roots. The movie is somehow an acute analysis of commuters’ life near Paris, of common people whose live doesn’t give extras. It’s a A realistic, funny and intelligent film.