Crustacés & coquillages

Now THIS is what summer movies should be! As perfect as the best chocolate soufflé, light and airy on your tongue, with a taste that lingers only as long as it's in your mouth. The best part is that once consumed, you will even respect yourself in the morning. And like all good foreign films, you will suddenly find yourself forgetting that it even has subtitles! Marc (the stunningly handsome Melki) has bought his family to the gorgeous seaside villa of his childhood, inherited from one of his aunts. Understanding and vivacious wife Beatrix (Bruni-Tedeschi), typically rebellious son Charly (Torres) and headstrong daughter Laura (Seyvecou) all find themselves enjoying their sunny sojourn (or not) for various reasons; Laura conveniently takes off for the week with her hunky biker boyfriend; Charly's enjoying "hot showers" just a little too much, especially when his own buddy Martin (Collin) shows up to spend time with the family, (but most especially with Charly, who may or may not be the love of his life--or at least the summer), and Beatrix is perfectly content to make time with her hot hubby, while both are under the influence of "violets," a particular kind of mussel that seems to light an amorous fire under them both.

Ah, but what would a French family sex comedy of errors be without a few secrets? Besides the one about Charly and Martin NOT being lovers, (but just try telling his cynical dad that!), there's Beatrix's side man, Mathieu, (Bonnaffe), who must be given credit for a funny and surprisingly sexy performance as the most average-looking 'other guy' I've seen in many moons, and Luc Besson favorite Jean Marc Barr as the studly, horny 'island plumber' Didier, who has more than a vested interest in Marc and his family, adding more comic calamity to the chaos that eventually ensues.

To say more would spoil some of the sassy and silly delights that await those looking for something different but not serious, which even includes a couple of musical numbers (!).

This was showing at the One In Ten Pride Film Festival in D.C., which was an excellent venue for it. The English title for it is "Cote d'Azure," but by any name, it's still more worth your time than half the American crap that's clogging up multiplexes right this minute. So, quick! Catch this one before they remake it and stick some lameoid graduates from the Disney channel into it...or try to cast Robin Williams as the father (YIKES!)

Poring throughout all IMDb it's quite frequent to find that's what most Hollywood-trained moviegoers think.

I hope this film, as many others in the new French cinema will make them change their opinion.

Crustacés et Coquillages is one of the wittiest comedies around. The script is absolutely unpredictable, with so many funny notes to every "serious" content, that will keep you laughing to it's completely nuts ending. Shot and played beautifully during summertime in Côte d'Azur, this film puts you in a roller-coaster ride of reality, insanity and very serious affairs without ever being annoying or insulting.

The roles are carefully cherry-picked for every character. I wouldn't like to say what many others have already said (telling what the film is about) but to tell you that the meat of this film are the topics of today's real life. Topics that should be encouraged to talk about before things get too complicated with our children. Topics that are simply taken for granted when they shouldn't. As someone else already pointed out, this is a French film with all the possible "frenchness" in it, but, amazingly, taking things on the light side.

Finally, I'd suggest to watch closely the film-making process. Its cinematography, too, is very French and, as such, outstanding, without enormous resources. The cast is perfect: they portray exactly what they are and, then, it turns out to be exactly the opposite! Locations and dim-light situations are pushed to the limits, again, strapping resources. All in all a good film that lingers in the back of your mind longer than you'd think... as its music will surely do, too.

COTE D'AZUR is a simply charming romantic comedy. A family of four escapes for a summer vacation at a seaside villa and find that romantic adventures are the main excursion. The film's director provides a light, magical tone that allows enchantment and reality to mix effortlessly. The performances are all first rate as well, giving us a realistic family unit without sacrificing individuality. The plot is both original and surprising, taking both the viewer and the characters in unexpected directions. The balance here is superb. Even a detour into musical comedy fits neatly into the fabric of this likable film. Credits roll over a surreal song and dance that will have the viewer wishing they, too, were visiting the COTE D'AZUR.

Some sauce is going on, and gay going on. Is girly haired son Charly a? No, turns out his dad is.

"Its nice being bored on holiday" says Mother to Charly. No it isn't. You've got to be up to something. Have your skinny balding lover arriving for some shagging on the rocks; he keeps his flat cap on.

More jerking off in the shower (friend Martin) Dad is getting stiffies watching and imagining.

More jerking off in the shower (Dad now) It's a beautiful world this Cote D' Azur if you lay back, and do who or whatever you want.

Occasional "step outside the frame" song and dance routines occur to inflate light-hearted larkiness but come across as looking ludicrous.

"Silly soufflé of seaside shenanigans, sexy secrets, and jerking off in the shower" would be my strap line.

I learnt that sea violets are a soft shellfish.

I'm scratching my head why BBC4 showed this.

Nice, french and seductive. Story of holiday, spiced and musical, a comedy about relations and escapes, sentimental adventure and erotic games, teenage problems, appearances and reality. Only a joke, in fact. But the essence is more than spam. Errors and feelings in a strange circle. A mirror with many faces, belly for faces and gestures. Trip to happiness and slices of "A midsummer night's dream". Map of ordinary existence, uncomplicated and naive, honest and dramatic,fresco of a marriage an a critically age, of natural abdication and final happiness, a fable about moral, sex and homosexuality. Basic ingredients and pretty songs. Aplauses and curtain.