Willkommen in der Nachbarschaft

An entrepreneur cheating the IRS needs to move in a "zone franche" and employ 30% of peple there to get his tax-cuts instead of just claiming to be there. And since he's inspected right away, the marathon of saving face ( 3hours to recruit 4 people !) gives you a clue.

Too bad that except for the rush, it's all too real. I come from one of those places and from the infernal kids to the infernal, hilarious recruiting session, that's it in a nutshell.

There is a lot of romancing around what's supposed to be a scam. A bit like a white wedding full of love after some cohabitation. But it's entertaining and can be a nice change from American comedies or adaptations. (which always suck).

It's not profound at all. More like French watching the french, but low-class. Not that our "classics" De Boulevard comedies aimed to be smart. I'm not sure "Le père Noel est une ordure" (80s) or "Les Tontons Flingueurs" (70s) would make many Americans laugh either.

It's not remotely "Intouchables". Which IS based on a true story. Nor "Marly Gomont", known for a music-clip, not a movie. But it's not "La Haine" either (mid 90s movies which showed both sides of those places and that americans won't ever buy the rights to betray)

Tensions aren't nearly as bad as what some politicians and scared provincials claim it is because our model is not American. We grow up together in the suburbs. No imaginary lines not to cross "or else". Not when in truth, statistics say it's in Paris that you're the more likely to be mugged, robbed, beaten... Omar Sy is a big bad French import from those parts impossible to be scared of in reality. Unless you're scared of your own shadow. Your car or bike, however, is in great statistical peril. That is no lie.

Without being a cliché this moving is cong out nicely. Honestly a good time. Liked it.

The script was obviously written with a hangover. Nevertheless, the movie manages to make people laugh and it was undoubtedly the main goal.

Well, it's a comedy that really made me laugh and I appreciate that. You also get to see relations formed between people from different or same backrounds, which touched me. Lellouche plays his role perfectly. Overall, see it, when you don't feel well, when you want to have fun, alone or with company. It' ll serve you right!

What came first in my mind when I heard about this movie and its plot was that it would have similarities with "Serial (Bad) Weddings" 1 & 2. It has. Although the plots are different both deal with the problems and misunderstandings stemming from the insurmountable differences of class, status, religion, ethnic origin etc which exist among the various segments of the population in modern French society. They deal with them with a humorous manner which sometimes approaches genuine emotional involvement and try to promote the message that with a little goodwill and mutual effort we shall realize that we are one big human family despite the petty differences of race, creed and class that strive to keep us separated in a state of mistrust and enmity. I am not a professional sociologist and and political analyst to be able to assess the realistic possibilities of such a social vision in modern France or the world in general. Obviously there is an agenda in those comedies which try to promote the ideal of the "Open Society". Whether it will be materialized only the future can tell.

The movie as such has able actors and many humorous moments although it does not always avoid the stereotypes it purports to fight. Some of the cast are physically very attractive and many embody characters with whom the viewer can develop empathetic feelings. Nevertheless the criminals are very stereotyped despite the effort to portray some of them in a somewhat positive manner. My point is that some elements of race and character portrayal undermine instead of promoting the humanistic and universalist message of the film. There are characters belonging to ethnic minorities and colored people which are positive role models but still the villains are Arab and not Français de souche.

Still I recommend this particular movie because it is funny, at times poignant, the acting is competent, love seems to triumph over racial differences and all people can strive for the common good despite being different. All these things can happen- at least on the big screen.