Nos jours heureux

Leisure centers for children haven't been often at the core of films in French cinema. That said, thirty years before "Nos Jours Heureux", Claude Millers' debut film "La Meilleure Façon De Marcher" (1976) used this type of place as a backdrop to depict an ambiguous relationship between two counselors who were admirably portrayed by Patrick Deweare and Patrick Bouchitey. And at a pinch, one could also quote Gérard Jugnot's "Scout Toujours..." (1985).

But here, it's a true children's holiday camp that is depicted here. Set in 1992, a manager Vincent (Jean Paul Rouve) has to run a children's holiday camp for three weeks and to face the unexpected concerning the place, his colleagues, various problems linked to children about the rooms, trips, their belongings. Very often, what seem at first little problems end up becoming great ones which can sometimes be solved in a curious and humorist way.

Because it's the tone used by the two directors to relate these crazy three weeks. I must admit it's a shame they have recourse to clichés to depict several types of counselors between shy Caroline, seducing Lisa who doesn't leave Vincent indifferent, big mouth Daniel. OK, these stereotypes are the motors to several comical sequences but I would have liked more originality. The same goes for the kids between the witty one, the anguished one who keeps on asking a thousand questions about all and nothing. And of course, girls are one of their biggest interests during their holidays.

That said, the energy of the actors, the nostalgic look adopted by the directors, the funny ways big problems are solved or circumvented are enough to honestly have fun and to spend a really good time in front of this vibrant comedy although it is cluttered with clichés. But as they're not too overwhelming, one can forget them without any remorse. One will also forget a too cozy end.

I saw it at the Colcoa film festival here in L.A. It was a delight, so fresh, so full of life and such a fluid camera/directing. It won the COLCOA 2006 prize and after a week of great movies this one was my favorite. It reminds me somehow the freshness of movies by Cedric Klapish, another great director. There were no major actors in the film, which probably was for budget reasons. But it is refreshing to watch a movie without a celebrity wearing the pants of regular people. It was a great experience to hear the audience enjoying it an laughing so much. How often do I laugh watching a movie that often? Everyone left the DGA theater so happy after the movie! Maybe I am biased, but I hope that movie will be at some point released in the US. I just want people to have a great time like I did.

Nos Jours Heureux is a definitely worthwhile film for many reasons. Of course, it has a lot of rhythm, authenticity, typical and hilarious diaglogs and a lot of good and now very famous actors in France (despite what some of us wrote here). I would even dare to say it will (or it has already) become a cult movie for the generation born between 2010-2020.

Nos Jours Heureux is a comedy with famous phrases that will stick in your head, it appeals to everyone's childhood and the summer camp we used to attend to. Morever, the eccentricity and the authenticity of the characters allow them to have hilarious freak-outs that for sure will make quite an impression to the audience. In addition to thatm the film describes perfectly the mood of such places. Anyone that has attended a summer camp like that would recall a camp counselor, a child or a chef De cuisine and for sure one or several of them who would have have been freak, violent, lady killer or simply misplaced and inappropriate. This film sums up it all. The stupid activities, the dishonesty of adults, the freak-outs, kids' tricks, adults' obsession for sex and maybe a subtle analysis of what is in an early-thirty year old adult's mind when it comes time to make decision and change his way of life. I found that last thing very subtle and very interesting in addition to all the laughters it provided. Enjoy !

This is not a pretentious movie, but it appeals to the memories we have from childhood, so we all have this kind of sympathy for the subject. Vacation camps. I don't know whether this concept is popular in the US, but in France, every child has attended to one of those. And everybody can find out some stuff in this movie closely related to what was the vacation camp when he was young. And this is what makes this movie work, it appeals to one's nostalgia. This is not a great movie though, the story is not different from the real story that happened for many people. It could have been a documentary on vacation camps, anyone would have seen the difference. The actors are quite good, and the dialogs are often funny, when they are not really funny. I do have a particular tenderness for the one where the director of the vacation camp, Vincent, spends several minutes explaining to the parents on the station platform that they must sever the link with their children, and 20 seconds later doesn't manage to have his father hang off the phone. Everything is like that, and as a movie made to make us laugh, it comply well with this definition. So make your choice if for you this movie is who the price of the ticket, but the audience when I saw it exited with a big smile on their face...

A genuine and often funny depiction of the relationships between monitors and children in a summer vacation camp. From romance to friendship, dancing to fighting, this French movie bring back good souvenirs of our childhood. It had been a while since I saw such a feel-good movie filled with sunshine and laughters. The characters were well defined and it does not take long before you get a good understanding of them. The dialogs were smooth but sharp, sweet but spicy. Truly a movie with heart and very well directed. Great job from all involved and props to all the young actors. It's was fun to see Omar Sy who was as good as always and there even was a guy from Quebec which is a plus for me. I strongly recommend it. 8.2/10