Grandes familias

The negative reviews are coming from the wrong demographic for the film. If you are the right demographic ignore them. If the wrong one, I would advise trying to expand your mind a bit to fully enjoy the world of European cinema.

I love French cinema. I loved this film. The following are facts not opinions or judgements:

1. I laughed out loud a lot, as much or more than other European comedies.

2. I was charmed by the actors.

3. The family events and personalities were familiar to me and completely true to life, but much more funny on screen.

4. Fast paced.

5. All the actors gave first class performances.

6. The difference between my enjoyment of the film and the relatively low rating, and low number of reviews, prompted me to write a review which I rarely do, in service to my fellow American cinema-Francophiles.

The cinematography both of the countryside and the actors was lovely, too.

The film moved along at a fast clip and was energetically performed. The compressed time time frame, fast pace, and comic characters, hark back to 30's American screwball comedy, although the focus is more ensemble. I think cinema authorities might classify it as screwball comedy. I did laugh more and harder at Bringing Up Baby, but that is a miracle of a film. Humor, character based, situational, and even slapstick, quickly becomes the dominant mode.