Cocorico

This comedy might (well I'm pretty sure) not please the 'woke' generation, you know the ones that get offended by almost everything, but if you have a good sense of humor and are not easily offended by racial stereotypes and clichés you will probably enjoy this French comedy. I like almost every movie with Christian Clavier (from l'équipe du Splendid, a well known bunch of French comedians) so watching Cocorico it was almost a certainty I would like it. Didier Bourdon (better known from Les Inconnus) plays the rival of Christian Clavier and what started as a hopefully new friendship quickly turns into a verbal war between them. Sylvie Testud plays the wife of Didier Bourdon and acts like the queen of England. It's all very funny to follow, you just have to give it some time as the beginning starts slow, but once they get going there is no stopping them. I had a good time watching this French comedy, probably because I'm not woke enough in this ridiculous society that takes everything too seriously. Just relax and enjoy the show.

Spoiler Free Review

The plot revolves around the theme of ethnic heritage and belonging. Although I like the idea of the plot, it could use a more streamlined and meaningful storyline. The film navigates through varying tones - casual, formal, comedic, overly silly, and exaggerated - creating a mixed bag of emotions.

The cinematography and editing, though basic, effectively capture the essence of each moment, balancing clarity with depth. However, I have mixed feelings about the editing. The editing sometimes appears rushed, disrupting the flow with abrupt transitions.

The first act is focused on character introductions, their backgrounds and personalities, yet feels somewhat tedious despite its insightful moments. The narrative pace is decent but lacks enough engagement to keep the interest piqued.

In contrast, the second act introduces a flavorful mix of internal and external drama, injecting curiosity and humor into the storyline. The exploration of characters' concerns over their ethnic heritage unfolds with visual flair and comedic timing, showcasing a range of emotions. Some show ego, worry, relief, and pleasure.

The cast's performances range from average to commendable, with certain scenes showcasing their skills as actors.

Conclusion:

Cocorico is a mixed bag. It's marred by pacing issues and an inconsistent tone that may alienate some viewers. Despite its flaws, the film conveys a meaningful message: the significance of growing up in a culture that shapes one's identity, overshadowing the boundaries of ethnic heritage. My final rating stands at 5/10, reflecting a cinematic experience and overall enjoyment. It shines in the idea of the story but falters in execution.

The film is hilarious! It is really finely done. You do need a french sense of humor as there are some inside jokes, but it is greatly done. Especially the way of how simply they slip in jokes like that!

Sometimes there may not be a very good flow in the film but the storyline is really interesting - it is so fun to see how every bit of information reunites at a later point in the movie and it all makes sense.

So I definitely recommend this movie for its humor. I did need to watch it at least two times to really catch jokes, but this is this kind of movie that with every time you watch it once more you find new jokes and funny moments.

Found the play to unfair stereotypes deeply patronising and ultimately embarrassing.

This movie's plot follows on this premise that certain nationalities are better than others and then tries to "make peace" with the message the offended nationalities do have redeeming qualities i.e. Hey you're stupid but you make good plumbers. The subtext being "you're still stupid though". Deeply offensive and embarrassing most of all to the intelligent French viewer.

Making fun of hard working people who make one's society and economy work is neither fair nor logical. I would skip this entirely but if for some reason you're forced to watch it, best to turn off your brain beforehand.

No pun intended - and obviously this has nothing to do with the Ms. Claude movies. I think we have three at this moment? I should know I watched them all - so I am probably just kidding (or am I?). And while the actor who is also known as Ms. Claude (in those other movies), plays a main role here too and is quite ... well he has some issues and racism is one of them. So while there are some similarities there are also differences ... he is of a rich family here. Which also makes him look down upon "common" folk.

The movie does take a while to get going, but we do get a lot of ... well let's just say the French do not take prisoners! Everyone and everything is being dragged through the mud. Political correctness? Well no chance for that here - a lot of cliches, a lot of things used that have a racial undertone to say the least. And I am mincing my words here, because if I wrote some of the things they say in the movie ... my review would get passed.

So you should not be over sensitive to say the least. I don't think "woke" is a bad thing - the director/characters here feel quite differently ... and that is putting it mildly ... it's funny because you laugh? Well you decide ...