David O'ConnellThe French Kissers
May 26th 2010 03:36
Riad Sattouf’s debut The French Kissers (Les beaux gossers), marketed worldwide as France’s answer to American Pie (1999) after receiving glowing reviews at Cannes 2009, seems cobbled together from the thinnest of ideas. Yet in spite of its lack of substance in terms of an actual plot, the film is actually very funny. Stupid and juvenile? Absolutely to both of those accusations as well, but it’s still damn funny.
The French title translates as The Handsome Guys, an ironic name if ever there was one considering the geeky, pimple-faced twits the film is populated by. Set in the north-western city of Rennes, the focus shifts to Herve (Vincent Lacoste) and his best mate Camel (Anthony Sonigo) who haven’t the slightest clue about successfully negotiating the mysterious domain of the human female. Channeling their lust through constant fantasising about what sex may be like and masturbating into a sock, they exist in a dreary, miserable no-man’s land of middling grades and with little ambition other than to ogle any naked female form.
The pair seems like outcasts, but in a school full of them the delineation is a very blurred one indeed. At home Herve has to deal with his slovenly, depressive single mum (Noemie Lvovsky) whose idea of obtaining a good laugh is to burst in upon Herve in an attempt to catch him ‘in the act’. When Herve inexplicably draws the attention of attractive Aurore (Alice Tremoliere), his world is jolted out of the clutches of incessant fantasy. But without the tools to handle this new development he remains no closer to understanding the opposite sex than his sad-sack classmates. Jealousy from Camel - desperate for his own first lip-lock - becomes another unwanted distraction.
Sattouf’s screenplay, conceived in collaboration with Marc Syrigas, is based on a series of flimsy scenario fragments stuck together in the hope a cohesive whole will take shape. It doesn’t, but the ribald, juvenile humour is so on the mark at times that it’s easy to forgive its glaring shortcomings. Sattouf certainly captures the anxieties and antagonistic interplay that exists between high school students with their rapidly growing and evolving bodies with some authenticity. But there’s an aimlessness that thwarts any opportunity to sympathise much with these characters, especially Herve who's a real dead-eyed drip of a kid.
At least Camel, with his lusty delusions and seriously uncool mullet, has that spirited underdog association we can all somewhat relate to or remember from our own schoolyard misadventures, but Herve is a distinctly unattractive proposition for any female, you'd imagine. Not a word or gesture of his would seem to warrant the slightest glance from a girl, especially a reasonably attractive one.
Episodic and unfocused though it may be, Les beaux gossers is undeniably entertaining and at around 80 minutes never feels like it will outstay its welcome. The score, composed by Lionel Flairs with an assist from Sattouf, has a weird retro pop feel about it and is cleverly and comically used to heighten some scenes. Instantly forgettable but consistently laugh out loud funny, this is perfect light entertainment.
Or go here for another trailer.
© 2009 Les Films des Tournelles - Pathe Production - Studio 37
The French Kissers is now out on DVD from Madman Entertainment.
| 109 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic