Father Geek here with some reviews of JUST VISITING, the French hit comedy that's been remade for American audiences. Harry and I had passes for this one tonight, but things came up beyond our control and we had to pass on the Austin screening. As a result I'm really glad some of you who saw it tonight at various previews around the country decided to write it up and send us your points of view. Its reports such as these that are our site's life blood, and they're especially important to films like this one which are out there hovering somewhere below the radar. Thanks!
I just got home from a preview screening of "Just Visiting" in Tempe, AZ and since I've seen very little press or advance word on it, I wanted to send in a report.
For those who don't know, "Just Visiting" is an English Language remake of the 1993 French Film "Les Visiteurs", written by Jean-Marie Poiré and Christian Clavier (with John Hughes helping with the English version). It stars Jean Reno as a 12th Century Count Thibault and Christian Clavier reprising his role of Andre, the counts squire. Also starring is Christina Applegate (who's come a long way from Kelly Bundy) as Julia Malfete in the present day and the Count's fiance in the past. Rounding out the main cast are Matt Ross as Julia's fiance, Hunter, Tara Reid as Hunter's mistress, and Malcolm McDowell as The Wizard.
The movie starts out in 12th Century England where The Count is preparing for his wedding. However, a rival count attempts to get him killed by having a witch spike his fiance's drink, so that she will see him as a horrible beast. However, The Count offers her his drink and drinks the spiked one, going wild and killing her. He is sentenced to be hanged and Andre goes in search of a Wizard in the hopes of undoing things. The Wizard explains that he could re-animate the dead fiance but it wouldn't be very pleasant. He offers to send The Count back in time to prevent the murder. He mixes up the potion and sends The Count and Andre off, and then realizes he left out an ingredient. So, instead of going back in time, Andre and The Count end up in present day Chicago, where the part of the castle they were in is on display in a museum. The Count and Andre are obviously perplexed by their new situation and when they meet The Count's ancestor, Julia Malfete, she takes them in thinking he is her Uncle who they thought drowned in a boating accident.
Ok, that's the setup. We get a lot of the obvious "man out of time" type jokes as The Count and Andre experience modern day living and home appliances. The Count wants to find a wizard to help them to get back to their time and McDowell's Wizard ends up following them into the future and really takes to the present day.
I enjoyed the movie and the majority of the audience did too. A couple who had seen the original French version liked the new one and thought it was even funnier than the original. Having recently been in Chicago, it was also neat to recognize some of the sights seen in the movie.
The movie doesn't seem to be getting much press, though, so unless there's good word of mouth about it, it may not do well.
Go see it, you'll be glad you did.
Mr. SFTV
Father Geek back with another look at this flick. This one from a female in Atlanta...
Regular reader of AICN and couldn't sleep so I decided to grace you with my review of a screening I went to tonight of Just Visiting. I saw it at AMC Phipps in Atlanta tonight (Monday) at 7:30. The screening was half full and strangely there was a large seniors group occupying the last 3 rows of the theater. (Not that there is anything wrong with that but not something you expect to see at a screening sponsored by the local alternative rock station.)
I wasn't expecting much at all of Just Visiting. In fact I didn't even plan on seeing it until a friend offered me a pass yesterday. I have to tell you I was shocked by how funny and entertaining the movie was.
The opening 15 or so minutes when they are in 12th Century France (?) are very slow. There is one pretty well choreographed fight scene but this whole segment just moved a little slow. (The most peculiar aspect was this cheerful narration from someone who sounded just like Kelsey Grammar. It was only there for the first 5 minutes and then it is like he quit the job.)
Eventually the heroes Tibult and Andre are transported in time to modern day Chicago. (Actually pulled off well by utilizing a modern day museum having an exhibit of Count Tibult's castle.) Really all of this is just there to get them to the 21st century. It could have been any story though I will say Malcolm MacDowell is surprisingly effective as the wizard.
When Tibult and Andre get to the 21st century the movie becomes quite hillarious for the next 40 or so minutes. A lot of the scenes that might appear silly in the trailer are actually executed quite well. Plus amazingly there are a lot of funny things that weren't in the trailer. (I figured they might have taken every ounce of funny from the film for the trailer.)
The humor ranges from fish-out-of-water obvious humor to rather subtle humor. Christian Clavier was really amazing as Andre the peasant. He had an amazing way of making it appear that he was not just trying to get a laugh. Hearing his reason for not wanting to take a bath was something so subtle that a lot of the audience didn't even notice it, but at the same time it was delivered perfectly. For a French actor that is obviously gifted at physical comedy he delivered his lines quite well in English.
Reno was his standard Reno. Very dependable showing a comedic range I had never really noticed. His scenes with Clavier were his best scenes. I grimaced a bit every time Reno had to be alone with Christina Applegate. Clavier was much better with Tara Reid than Reno with Applegate. (Though Tara Reid did not exactly sell me on the role of the garderner girl next door.)
Of course the movie must get them back in time and unfortunately the last 20 minutes really get away from the humor of these 12th century Frenchmen in the modern times and goes towards chasing through Chicago and police horses. I guess that it had to end that way but I found myself wanting more and more of the situational comedy.
I felt Christina Applegate could have been better used but she was solid in her role. I have so far left out the thing that all guys will be talking about from the film, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras. In what might be her most memorable role she basically plays the scantily clad mistress who wants money and rubs her body suggestively to get it. The men in the crowd were hooting for her one scene involving a marble table.
Overall I would recommend this movie to anyone that can laugh. It is a funny funny movie. I wish they could somehow shorten the beginning and end some but it is ok. I was really really surprised by this movie and in all honesty would go see it again this weekend if someone wanted to go.
Talk with you later on Harry. Keep up the great work.
Thanks, MaryMary
