Les bronzés

Les Bronzés is a cult french comedy, widely appreciated in France. It stars most of today's finest french comedians: Thierry Lhermitte, Gérard Jugneau, Michel Blanc, Josiane Balasko and Christian Clavier. I've just finished watching it for the first time, and it was as enjoyable as I expected to be. It's the sort of hilarious french comedy based mainly on sexually explicit dialogue and sex related jokes. The film is about young french singles and couples on a charter holiday in western Africa trying their best to be polygams, while getting some sun at the same time. Those who enjoy french comedies must see Les Bronzés!!

If one looks closely at the history of French cinema there is no doubt that Patrice Leconte's cult film "Les Bronzés" has achieved the status of a classic film.The sad thing is that it is considered as a classic film but in a very negative sense.This is because a major section of academic critics in France and elsewhere would never be ready to acknowledge it as a true classic film representing the essential qualities of French culture.Whatever critics might say,reality is that all viewers need film a like this as the survival of art cinema is not possible without the growth of commercial cinema.It is really hard to believe that Patrice Leconte has directed this comic film in the early stages of his career.He is more famous as a director who has made many brilliant psychological dramas in the later part of his successful career.In order to appreciate "Les Bronzés",a viewer must know French language or familiarize oneself with aspects of French culture otherwise the meaning of innumerable rib tickling jokes will surely be lost.This is simply because some of jokes and situations in this film are simply untranslatable.It is a known fact that French people are true expert connoisseurs of sea,sex and sun but some of the behavioral traits of Gallic people shown in "Les Bronzés" are not entirely full of truth as not all French people behave in an irresponsible,wacky manner when they are away from home.The best way to remember and watch "Les Bronzés" is to consider it as one of those rare films in which an intelligent eye can sense hopelessness,misery and pain even in the lives of carefree tourists making merry.

Great and wonderful movie. A cult movie for me, my friends, my family.. and all French speaking person I know. It is a must, but in its original French version... otherwise, better pass as it's all in the language and the twisted French culture. I Love it !! The acting is great, the script delicious and the jokes hilarious. The comedy is a little basic but so French that each French national may recognize themselves, or their neighbors. The sequel called "Les Bronzes font du ski" is even better but the initial one remain a must see of the French humor at least for the generation of the 80's. I personally watch it once a year with my wife.

This movie is a myth, a classic for the French young generation. If you meet a French girl or guy and try to make contact with him or her, you can be sure that a little quote from "Les Bronzés" will start a passionate conversation.

Nevertheless, you must have a very good knowledge of the French language because of all the jokes and puns; if it's not the case this movie may appear as a very "unfunny" comedy.

You must know that there's a sequel, "les Bronzés font du ski", which has had a great audience success (it's on French TV once a semester and I am not kidding) but which appears to be less funny (less puns). However, it seems to be even more mythical that the first opus.

This movie is one of the most important comedy in France. Almost everybody in France know one or several sentences of it. If you want to make some joke with a French guy, you could try to learn some of the principal sentences of the movie and you could be sure that he will laugh. The movie is adapted from the stage, and the play was very succesful for many months. So, every shot have been studied to be hilarious. There are not at all any breaks. Of course, if you could understand French, I will advise you to see the French Version because the jokes could be not as good in English. In conclusion, I would also advise you to see the second movie from the same team: "Les Bronzes Font du Ski" which is at least as excellent as the first.