Les sous-doués en vacances

1982 was the year of sequels in the French vinema. Claude Pinoteau made "La Boum 2", while his compatriot and synonymous colleague Claude Zidi continued the adventures of his under-gifted students by making them go on vacation. The result was a film that succeeded in being a good sequel since the director changed no ingredient in his winning formula.

Some time after their examinations, the heroes now feel the need to relax and go on vacation. Bébel (Daniel Auteuil) is determined to travel to the Seychelles with his girlfriend, Jennifer. She, of course, dumps him, and poor Bébel will try finding a job, since he's strapped for cash. Luck shines for him at this extent; he works as a test subject for an invention called the "Love computer ". According to the crazy scientist who invented it, it can show if two people are made for each other when listening to a song. It is through these sessions that our hero meets Claudine, a blonde with blue eyes deeper than his intelligence.

Unfortunately, the famous club owner Paul Memphis (Guy Marchand) has also fallen in love with Claudine. Under the guise of wanting her as a helper for a concert in Saint Tropez, he travels with her to this eternal setting of French comedies, leaving Bébel behind. So start the efforts of poor Bébel to win Claudine's heart again, justifying the love computer's conclusion about these two.

In "Les sous-doués en vacances ", Zidi changed nothing from the first film but the setting. The heroes are all there, with their mischievous pranks now aimed to Memphis rather than the teachers. The mood of carelessness that exists in the first opus is also there, and, coupled with some 80's atmosphere in clubs and beaches makes for a feast for both the comedy lover and the 80's enthusiast.

Not only is the movie hilarious, but its soundtrack is also exemplary of what French pop had to offer at the time. Vladimir Cosma gifted a score composed of infectious hits, some of them also found in "La Boum 2" and "Le père Noël est une ordure". The timeless hit song, "Destinée" performed by co-star Guy Marchand, is one of the most famous slows in France, and was danced to death (if one can die from standing too much) in clubs and parties.

A film with a plot that works through being just fast-paced enough to be engaging, a soundtrack as commercial as it gets, and a cast of the most hilarious kind, "Les sous-doués en vacances " is a cheap comedy à la française, that is successful because of its honesty. It doesn't try to be anything else but funny, its capable cast hiding their seriousness for the audience's amusement. Zidi knew where his talent lay; in making people laugh. With "Les sous-doués en vacances ", he certainly did so. He was, indeed, destined for comedy.

I watched this film back in 2005 when I was someone else, but the message is as true for me now as it was when I wasn't me. It has something for everyone as it takes us all back to those moments when we were happily under-gifted. If you remember standing in the street after the bars close, stumbling up to pee in the gutter and waiving at cars as they pass, and having been to the dentist that very day, your mouth is shot full of Novocaine so that when you attempt to talk you make incoherent noises with a scrunched up face; if as a grown adult you've spent hours barking back at a vicious dog on the other side of a chain link fence, or if you can recall grammar school when most days were spent with your face in a corner feeling like your hands are giant balloons and wondering if it was a good idea to sample the contents of your mother's medicine cabinet... If you've had any of these experiences, this film will speak to you in a familiar spirit. What's more, it will teach you to love again, but in a manner that doesn't end with your incarceration. I have Les sous-doués en vacances on VHS and can't wait to watch it again, and tonight I shall dream of hammers.

I was very excited to watch this sequel as the 1st movie was truly funny and full of nostalgia. But it took only five minutes to wash away my enthusiasm. In a way, the title is lying because nearly all the students disappeared. The band of friends are together at the beginning for a very short short scene and then, only 3 and a half are used in the movie. So I feel cheated. Next, if the story would have been as good as the previous, it would have been maybe enjoyable but it takes forever to push the movie and the chosen location is the worst that they could have found: Saint Tropez ! For a french, we are saturated by this town that is sold as a dream while it's very common: it's funny to see that 30 years later another sequel of a cult comedy would do exactly the same error (« Les Randonneurs A Saint Tropez »). And worst: this one is not really funny. There is maybe three good jokes but that's all: if the cast is rather cool and play the game, if seeing again France in 80 wakes up good vibes, this is not enough at the end!

Oh my god, this film was excellent and I wish I could live in it. So sure, I was totally flying on shrooms but this film speaks to me in a voice of flowers. Claude the director totally handles the farcical nonsensical adventure aspects of this oeuvre with a deft touch heretofore unseen. It's Mr. Ed-meets-Platoon-meets-The Devil in Miss Jones, and that, is electrocuting. At one point, and I won't reveal too much, but at a certain point in the film you realize this isn't really about "Vacances" but we are all under-gifted and life is Vacances. Sure there is plenty to laugh at but there is so much truth and so much vacation that, in the end, you find yourself asking, "Are we people, or are we just geometry posing as walking meat?" I can't answer that for you because it would rob you of the rich wisdom that comes from your own filthy journey. One word of advice: Hide the hammers.

Nobody can beat French cinema as far as comedies are concerned. The most unique thing about them is their inventiveness. Director Claude Zidi is the most respected creator of comedies in France whose films continue to make audiences laugh at all costs. For making 'under gifted in vacations', he teamed up with screen writer Didier Kaminka to create a humorous tale about love and its effect on youngsters as far as finding a soul mate is concerned. This film has already been hailed as a classic in France. It is no wonder that viewers from other countries would also have a gala time enjoying its numerous gags and witty dialogues. One can die laughing simply by watching a gag involving famous French actress 'Brigitte Bardot'. An attractive boy meeting a charming girl to forge a romantic relationship is shown in many films. However,'Les sous-doués en vacances' make good use of a machine called 'love computer' in order to find pairs who are compatible to each other. Trouble starts for everybody when a famous singer decides to ignore the love computer's predictions. It is interesting to watch how his plans are thwarted. Lastly, all astute viewers should distrust this film's low ratings. There are times when low ratings are awarded to a film without knowing its real worth. This film is a good example of this tendency.It is high time its real importance is understood by all serious cinema lovers.