Les sous-doués

Back in the years of high school, a perfect age for this film, cinema for me mend summer time, sky roof theaters, uncomfortable canvas seats, mosquito repellants and a wish that it wouldn't rain.

And one day, I was old enough to take the bus for an one hour travel to the big city where the real cinema theaters were. Together with by best friend, I had my first experience of the short going to see Spiderman. At that age it actually looked good. But the second time we dared to make use of our teenage freedom, we went to this film. The theater was foul. The audience was delighted. We were laughing all the way to the end of the function and some even applauded when it was over.

I never forgot this experience. All the movies that followed had to be compared with this one.

Back in the '80s, in Greece, this film became a legend. French comedies were predominant in those days and we knew French comedians better than their American colleagues. A whole fashion of school movies was provoked by the success of this idea and several bad taste local versions were produced.

Today, apart from me and my friend, probably no one else remembers the comedy that thrilled the country. Personally I still wish for more.

"Souvenez-vous de vos vingt ans/ mais oui, mais oui, c'était longtemps" sang star Daniel Auteuil in the soundtrack of box-office hit "Les sous-doués". He was referring, of course, to the professors of the conservative school Louis XIV, in which he was a student. Don't mistake me here. He went there as the hero of this amazing film, and taught millions of spectators what a good French comedy is.

Auteuil is Bébel, the leader of a clique of pranksters, who try and succeed in not passing the famous Baccalaureate exam (aka the Bac) every year. When they score a historic zero percent passing rate, the principal of the school (Maria Pacôme) decides to enforce strict measures in order to transform these idlers to serious students. Of course, she doesn't take in account their smartness, resulting in hilarious confirmations between her and them. The only thing that convinces them to pass the exam is a prank gone wrong, which could have as consequence their going to prison. Except, of course, if they pass.

This film is nothing more than a succession of gags, so well-crafted, though, that one can't hold their laugh when watching the movie. From a learning machine, that smacks the user if they don't know the subject, to a pen controlled from distance by another user, that lets the student write without trying, both sides use methods bordering on the absurd to succeed in their cause, that is, either to force the students to pass, or to succeed without effort. Cheaters the world over couldn't compete with the ingeniousness of the pranks that these under-gifted (hence "Les sous-doués") students devise.

This is because they were based on real life. Director Claude Zidi got the idea for the movie, and its unparalleled content, from his daughter's antics when passing the Bac. Having no money, and needing to repay his creditors, he made this movie on a shoestring budget, with only the talent of his cast and the originality of his jokes as help.

Speaking of the actors, their performances will surely be exemplary for a comedy for years to come. Not falling into the trap of being unnecessarily serious, or hyperbolic, they mostly shone through their comedic timing. In short, they were outright hilarious, bordering on the ridiculous sometimes, but generally serving the script well with their passion and charm. Daniel Auteuil stole the show for the first time, this being the film that made him famous. The actor now known for his multifaceted portrayal of tragic heroes showed then another aspect of his abilities, being the most recognisable and relatable of the characters, the lover of little effort, the ingenious planner of pranks, the popular yet gentle guy one doesn't often see in comedies, let alone French ones. In a country with one of the most rigid school systems, this comedy was met with success because its characters were what few students could be; free and yet successful, having fun of themselves while taking one of the most difficult exams . Not even the strictest disciplinarian could put them in order, because there was no need in trying to do so. These teachers were too far removed from their students in order to understand them.

This is why Auteuil sang "Souvenez-vous de vos vingt ans/ mais oui, mais oui, c'était longtemps". The faculty of the high school could never return in the time they were twenty, they were too much absorbed in the exam-centered system in which they taught. Still, school is not all about exams. So, the next time the Bac comes, I suggest taking a look in this cult classic, that completely denigrated this exam and emphasized the need to have fun even in the most stressful of situations. That it is better to be a "sous-doué" rather than a genius.

Around whom are the best movies centered, after all?

Indeed, there is one genre in which American movies usually fail and french one are rather inspired : comedy ! And for my country, Zidi was among the best for that : he had really the talent to pick classic positive characters and put them borderline, so the fun ! Before policemen taking bribes, here he plays with cheating students ! It's light, natural not spoofs or too intellectual so you laugh really hard and have great fun ! The appeal of this movie is his great casting as well : today movies are brand-names, who's who of too much paid people but then, movies were open to unknown newcomers : they were fresh, full of energy and if some has built a career so far, it's has been a one-shot for the others… At last, this movie is also interesting because it happens in a France that has disappeared : if those students are lazy, they show some political ideas, they dress well. Today, students have nothing in their heads, guys dress with sport-ware all day and girls wear less to show more ! Actually, it's maybe the first time I watched this movie : when it was aired on TV, i was a kid so in a period which means no TV at night except Tuesday and Saturday, so i heard about it in school playground with my friends talking about it ! I'm on board for their summer sequel next week !

An absolute must-see for those into teenage comedies. I really wish this one was distributed worldwide as it is somewhat reminiscing of Animal House and The Breakfast Club, but just much, much funnier.

The plot: The story of a bunch of students in a tiny private school. Always up to no good, they end up blowing up part of the school. As a result, they can be sent to jail or... pass their baccalaureate. Since they are absolute losers, they'll come up with the zaniest tricks and devices to cheat during both the written and oral exams (both supervised by the police !). This film is a riot from beginning to end, and after that, you will never forget the "Learning Machine" or Mr. Bruce, the sports teacher.

I saw this movie back in Hungary, when I myself was also in high school, and absolutely loved it. Today I had a chance to see it again, and was a little worried that being 20 years older, and having seen so many more movies since then, I may end up being disappointed. But fortunately it didn't happen! I still found the jokes, the kids and the faculty hilariously funny. The movie successfully transpired that distinct CUTE goofiness we liked so much in other French movies (most notably in those of Louis de Funes), but is completely missing from otherwise brilliant flicks like American Pie. I wish I could find this movie in English, at least with subtitles; I'm sure the American education system could relate to it real good...

Ps.: Our hard-working people will be victorious! ;-)