MFFF REVIEW: MAX & LEON


 

 6/10

Max and Leon are two orphans who have been best friends since early childhood and both are nothing but trouble. When the Second World War kicks in they are both summoned to serve. Their little town gives a sigh of relief as the two troublemakers are about to be dispatched, hopefully for good. Thus begin the adventures of Max and Leon as they go to war with Hitler, the French, the English, the Arabs and themselves. Here comes trouble!

MAX & LEON is a fine example of what French comedy is about. Echoing the classical film with Louis De Funes "La Grande Vadrouille" (The Grand Promenade), MAX & LEON is a combination of famous French farce, over the top satire and even a musical (a three minute song of dancing German prisoners who tell you why the French people are the worst nation on earth). The jokes come fast and sharp, but some of them do not translate well into the English speaking world. 

The duo of MAX & LEON (French comedians Gregoir Ludig and David Marsais) lacks charisma but the guys have good timing (this is not the first film where they are together). The rest of the cast all seem to be having fun, and this is more important for comedy than polished performances. The film is quick, loud and silly, which makes it an easy watch. For every joke you might have missed two new ones are on the way. Many scenes are borderline embarrassing, but it is still better than the average American sitcom. 

With all its silliness and madness MAX & LEON has a good soul at its core. The film may be less funny for a non French speaking viewer, but if you love a good laugh and are ready for something different, MAX & LEON may just hit the right spot.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KOREAN MOVIE REVIEW: MEMOIR OF A MURDERER

Image
8/10 Byung-su is an elderly veterinarian who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He has a caring daughter who does all she can to make his life easier, and a policemen friend whose name Byung-su forgets from time to time. He also goes to a poetry club (in order to keep his mind exercised) where a lonely widow makes advances at him. But there’s one thing that sets Byung-su apart from the other senior citizens of his little town – he is a serial killer.  When a new wave of killings begin Byung-su starts to suspect that a young man who is dating his daughter is the culprit. Trying to keep the remains of his memories together Byung-su writes extensive journals. But what if his memories are actually real? Losing his grip on reality he goes head to head with the new serial killer in order to protect the only life he cares about in the world – his daughter’s. Before Dexter came around Koreans had excelled in creating charismatic killers as protagonists of the f...
Read more

We'll End Up Together - Nous Finirons Ensemble (French Movie Review)

Image
10/10 Max has a sixtieth birthday coming up. The problem is he is broke, divorced and depressed. When a group of his best friends show up at his doorstep to help him celebrate, he reluctantly agrees to spend a few days with them, but won’t explain what’s going on in his personal life. When ones darkest moments come, will friendship conquer all? Seven years after the breakout success of the film Little White Lies (Les Petits Mouchoirs) comes the long anticipated sequel and it is worth the wait. The success of WE’LL END UP TOGETHER is not in its rather predictable plot, but the chemistry on screen, the characters that we recognise ourselves and our friends in, and the amazing warm atmosphere that makes one believe there’s no problem a good dinner with friends won’t sort out.  Written and directed by much loved French actor and director  Guillaume Canet this movie feels like a welcome return home to those who have seen the original and will also welcome new viewership - t...
Read more

MSFF: DEATH IN BUENOS AIRES (MUERTE EN BUENOS AIRES)

Image
3 1/2 /5 It's year 1980 and we are in Buenos Aires. The wealthy gay man is murdered  and inspector Chaves is on the case. In order to find the culprit he has to plunge into the world of gay nightclubs, drugs and sex. But what is it with the young and handsome officer Gomes, who was the first on the crime scene, and seems to place himself with ease as a mole into a gay community? Is he trying to catch the killer? Or hiding something? As suspicions arise, Chaves is haunted by the feelings he does not understand. Will the fatal attraction to a younger man help him to solve the case, or be his undoing? First time director Natalie Meta is "spot on" on the upbeat atmosphere of the 80s without too much expense. She cleverly uses the pop tunes, over-the-top clothes and many other ingredients to recreate the time. The murder mystery is secondary, and the movie is focused on the relationship between the two men, full of innuendoes and mistrust. The very simple cinema...
Read more