Avis de mistral

OK, so I am a bit sentimental and get teared-up easily on nostalgia. But if you're willing to leave your cynic self behind and go along with the too-good-to-be-true sequences, you'll thoroughly enjoy this story of modern France mixed with beautiful, traditional Provence.

True, the teenager actors are a bit cartoonish, but not totally unbelievable. The "grandparents" are thoroughly enjoyable, both Jean Reno and Anna Galiena, if you are willing to overlook that she is probably too young and beautiful for her character.

If you would like an uncomplicated "comfort flick" after a stressful day or tiring week, this it the film for you or for the whole family. There's something to like for everyone.

If, like me, you appreciate Jean Reno, then you'll certainly get some pleasure from watching Avis de Mistral. The man is as good as ever, playing a confused and at times grumpy grandfather with emotion and subtlety. If you're not familiar with her, you'll discover the equally superb Anna Galiena, who also has a beautiful filmography that I strongly recommend.

The teenagers' act doesn't feel natural much, specially the older brother's, but that won't hurt your ears if you're not a French speaker. The mute little brother is quite adorable. The old singer Hugues Aufrey has a small part, but should have stuck to singing in French.

Story-wise, it's an archetypal French comedy. Nothing great, nothing terrible, despite some events not making any sense. The kids are Parisians unwillingly spending time in the sunny countryside, which is a perfect source of clichés. The village in Provence and its inhabitants get the postcard treatment, complete with beautiful scenes of traditional non-violent tauromachy, horse-riding in the swamps of Camargue, and Gypsy street performances.

Recommended as a brochure for a holiday's destination. For all ages.

I am giving it 3 only for the beautiful summer scenes of the south France. And maybe for the cute little actor who did not say a word, but won my heart. Everything else, including performances are really awful. Even Jean Reno, the French star, was bad in this movie. Teen actors were seriously overdoing it. This movie is loaded with stereotypes and unbelievable characters; the "reunion" part was especially awful, pretentious and clichéd. Unsuccessful attempt to bridge the generation gap. I have nothing else to say about this movie to meet 10 lines requirement, therefore I will say that I feel cheated, since I got used to really liking French cinematography.

Great views of life and people in a small city in Southern France and the simple life Paul (Reno) lives when it's changed with the arrival of his grandsons. Good-vibes movie. Just ignore the critics and reviews and watch it. You'll be glad you did.

This is a wonderful story about a divided family, which re-unites. While the mother of three siblings in france has to care for a new job, she sends her kids to her father, which she said good bye a long time ago. So they travel to the Provence, where their grandfather lives. The siblings and their grandfather can't bear each other at the beginning, but grandma gives her best to calm the situation.

The movie is a real heart warming family movie that feels real. It shows the joys of life in rural areas of the Provence. It shows that there are other things beside Facebook, Instagramm, and so on, which can make pretty much fun.

So why only 7/10? I've seen many of similar movies that create as much fun as this one. I would recommend it for anyone who likes family stories. :D