Le Retour du grand blond

The fun which audiences had due to Yves Robert's ingenuous story telling methods in "The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe" continues without any break in "The Return of the Tall Blond Man". Much of the action concentrates its focus on the notion that if a spy is created for some specific targets to be met, this person can also be allowed to die once those targets are achieved. French actors Pierre Richard as a spy and Mireille Darc as the spy's girl friend travel to Brazil as love birds where they are able to escape danger by being vigilant during all times. A key aspect of this film is about how a bureaucrat would try to do anything possible in order to please a minister ? This sub plot brings a fresh twist to the story wherein direct political involvement in matters of spies are brought to the fore. This situation gives rise to a minor yet decisive conflict between a secret agent and his contemporary.The fun does not seem to end as a lot of comic situations are added in the film to depict the futility of espionage.

Just like in the first part (Le grand blond avec une chaussure noir) I had a lot of fun. The soundtrack, keeps the same theme, with Romanian folklore performed by Gheorghe Zamfir, sometimes accompanied by samba rhythms, delights you. Besides playing Pierre Richard, I really liked Jean Rochefort's acting. He was portrayed in the perfect role, the smile under his mustache made him look like a real intriguer. The film is very suitable for watching it in the evening, you go at bedtime with a smile on your face, even the next morning you remember the funny scenes with which the film is sprinkled. It is a festival of good mood.

I strongly recommend viewing this sequel before the original. Indeed, Le Retour will probably leave you intrigued to watch "Le Grand Blonde", but I can easily imagine a viewer seeing 'Le Grand Blond' and not bothering to look for a sequel.

"Le Retour" is worth watching even if you've recently seen the American remake, "The Man with One Red Shoe". In fact, give it a chance even if you didn't particularly like the Hanks film -- the gulf is akin to (but not quite as large as) the one between Jean Luc Beson's Le Femme Nikita and the Hollywood remake -- a huge difference in tone, richness and sheer cleverness (This film may be where Quentin Tarantino got his by-now-familiar Mexican standoffs.)

If you worry about seeing films out of order, have no fear! There's charming introduction, where the characters and events of the original 'Grand blond' are dealt out and explained as cards in a magic act (rather clever ...and apropos) It may leave you feeling as if you're missing a lot of background, but you aren't. It's a fine demonstration of the show biz maxim "leave them wanting more"

I first saw this film over 20 years ago at a college-sponsored "Midnight Movies" and enjoyed it so much that I never forgot it and kept an active eye open for an opportunity to see it again (and show it to my friends)

About a year ago, I happened across both movies at a small local video. By now, I'd long since forgotten if I had seen the 'le Grand Blond' or 'Le Retour' (the sequel), so I started with the original.

It was such a total disappointment that I couldn't bring myself to put the sequel in the VCR. Where was the charm I remembered? I wrote the whole thing off as one of those college experiences you can never re- create. Could I really have been that different at 16?

Fortunately, I did end up playing 'Le retour' a few days later. It still held a large measure of the appeal I recall from 1978, and remains firmly among the films I recommend

Instances in here I find a little interesting and some parts are dope and the finale a little confusing in the orchestra but funny and good and the Bond parts are awesome. Good followup with turnabouts also known as twists.

I can agree with the other review only that this is a hilarious. I do not at all share the view that this excellent remake pales the original. No way. Now, let me say this: I generally detest remakes and sequels. They are generally only bland rehashes of the original and add nothing new. There are exceptions: The Godfather, Part II comes to mind, largely because of the introduction of Robert De Niro and making it a prequel. But, this film is great. The story line shifts as the bumbling Richard engages in some clever antics, again fraught with the comedy of errors approach and perfectly timed slapstick. The script is great and departs from the original, giving it a fresh, exciting approach. I don't think it is as hilarious as the original but the beauty of that is, this film is different enough to make it thoroughly enjoyable. Une fois plus, s.v.p.!