Chère Brigitte

In the 1960s, Jimmy Stewart did several family films that were just rather bland and, in my opinion, wasted his amazing talents. I am not saying they are BAD films, just imminently forgettable and are best described as "fluff". In other words, while time-passers, they have very little lasting value. The movie does have a few mildly interesting moments but that's really about all. In fact, the only reason the film even gets a score of 6 is because Stewart is in the film and he tries his best with the mediocre material. My recommendation is do NOT run out and rent it or buy it but wait until it comes out on cable. This is a far cry from THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE or MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. It's more like an episode of GIDGET combined with PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES.

This is pretty much the same review I gave for MR. HOBBES TAKES A VACATION. Both were almost exactly as bland as the other. What sets this apart is the strange plot involving a young Billy Mumy as a genius who is smitten with the actress Brigitte Bardot (the kid had good taste). Ms. Bardot makes a cameo near the end of the film, but apart from that it's a pretty forgettable film.

I stumbled upon "Dear Brigitte" almost by accident, and the names in the credits -- Jimmy Stewart, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn, etc. -- kept me watching. I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and intelligent this film turned out to be! Stewart plays an English professor whose only son, Erasmus (the adorable Billy Mumy), turns out to be a math whiz. He's also great at predicting horses, and he happens to be in love with Brigitte Bardot (who makes a wonderful cameo appearance). The family lives on a houseboat, and their teenaged daughter dates Fabian. All of this makes for a very enjoyable comedy the whole family can watch together -- it may be a bit outdated (particularly the "high-tech" computer featured in one scene), but that only adds to its charm. This is a lovable, often overlooked movie that's definitely worth viewing with the whole family!

It's a bit of a slow start, but Dear Brigitte is a very cute movie. James Stewart plays a stereotypical absentminded professor who randomly lives with his family in a ship that's ashore. It's a shameless copy of Mary Poppins, with Ed Wynn as the giggling, bumbling narrator with no character development, and Glynis Johns as the never-wavering matriarch who stands by her husband.

The family comedy can be separated into three sections. In the first third, everyone in the family plays a classical instrument. They're all very talented, except for the youngest son Bill Mumy. He doesn't fit in, and Jimmy worries. In the second third, Bill discovers his hidden talent: mathematics. It's a slap in the face to his father, who is an poetry professor instead. But since Bill is able to do complex math in his head, he quickly becomes a sensation. The final third addresses the title of the movie. Bill has a crush on Brigitte Bardot, and he writes her fan letters. But you won't find any spoilers here. To find out how all three sub-plots end up, you'll have to watch this pseudo-Disney family flick. James Stewart is very sweet with his children, but the opening silliness is a little unnecessary. Fast-forward if you need to, because the last third is very cute.

I remember seeing this in the movie theater when I was a boy; I'm the same age as Bill Mumy and was always interested in his shows.

Like many movies it's important to understand the times in which the movie was produced. This was the age when the computer was moving from a science fiction tool to a daily part of life. Many of the themes in the movie were things that people were wrestling with every day. A decent father trying his best to raise his children right but trapped in his own perceptions of life. A daughter grown up in a completely different age. A young boy who is a mathematical savant in a family of liberal arts specialists. The mother doing her best to uphold the respect her family and children deserve. All held together in a very off beat setting.

All of this makes for a unique comedy that to me has grown with age. No, it's not a knee-slapper. But there are interesting themes being played out that grow as you watch. The ending of a child's innocence. The brutal march of technology. The desire to hold on to traditions deemed vital. And in the final scenes, the knowledge that with all our desire to control the future, luck and pure chance will have it's say.

And Brigitte Bardot's part is.....how do I say it......wonderful? She comes across as interesting and genuine. I think it's a great role.

Don't expect pie-in-the-face-fun. If you can't wrap yourself around the show and the times it's understandable. It's quirky and offbeat and wasn't pre-shown to theaters so they could write the script, the script was written and shot and there it is. But if you have it a chance (or two) you'll be pleasantly surprised.

In the 1960's this might have passed for wholesome family entertainment. Getting Fabian for a throw-away role was probably a good casting coup, and for comic relief you have Ed Wynn and Billy Mumy's 'Rain Man' routines. He is an IBM in sneakers, from which most of the plot develops. He secretly writes a love letter to Bardot every night and one day he gets a response in the form of an invitation to visit her in France. Billy and dad Jimmy Stewart go to Paris and have a meeting with Miss Bardot. She gives the little boy an autograph, a kiss and a puppy.

Inoffensive little comedy that might give you a laugh or two. I like movies that reference real movie stars in their title, like "Being John Malkovich" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" so this makes the hat trick for me.