Le petit Nicolas : qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour être heureux ?

This is a biographical movie speaking about the Petit Nicolas's creators, Rene Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempe. Its script is not heavy and the design is simple and beautiful, reminiscent of the original illustrations Sempe used to make for the series of the little hero. It lacks the strong messages that one may look for in the movie, especially considering its title, but it's still pleasant to watch, if you want to spend a happy hour. This is a beautiful movie, which will be enjoyed the most by children from 8 to 16. It can remind us that life can be beautiful if we forgive just like children do.

Based on the trailer I expected classical portion of the escapades of Le Petit Nicolas as the most of us know them from the books. My kid with whom I enjoyed movie is fortunately twelve. I can not recommend it for younger kids, let's say under 10. They probably would find it too boring. The narrative is mostly focused on the two main authors of the books about little Nicholas, Goscinny and Sempé and their life stories with few intermezzos filled with familiar adventures of little Nicolas and his friends. There is very nonviolent interaction with little Nicolas as sometimes narrator and authors used mainly to give them space to share their amazing touching life stories. Especially Goscinny, who died in 1977, in age of only 51, was for me not so familiar figure even though everybody knows Asterix and Lucky Luke. Artistic side of animation based on Sempé's style is charming and underlines so typically European nonchalant movie.