My Father the Hero

This was recently issued in France on DVD under the title "Mon Père Ce Héros". When I bought it, I imagined it to be a film where Gérard Depardieu takes his daughter on holiday to Mauritius ( a film which I had seen and enjoyed several years ago ). What was my surprise when they ended up in the Bahamas, and the daughter wasn't the same actress as I had seen originally. On checking, I find that this is a remake of the original film. They should have issued it on DVD under the title "My Father the Heroe" to avoid confusion with the original. Just typical ! That said, the film is very enjoyable and is a perfect copy of the original film which also stars Gérard Depardieu, hence the confusion. The problem is in France they have this terrible habit of translating titles of foreign films into French ( which serves absolutely no purpose at all ) instead of respecting the original.

I have a slight preference for the original film, because of some of the characters staying at the hotel, but this film is just as good and funny, though I wonder why they bothered to make this remake - I don't see the point of it as it doesn't add anything over and above the original - it simply equals it.

One of the funniest points where GD is singing and playing "Thank Heavens for Little Girls" unaware of the fact that most of the guests listening think he is a paedophile. This is not in the original film and is a plus. Apart from that, the sets and plot are a carbon copy of the film set in Mauritius.

So, a good entertaining film - my only bone of contention is with Buena Vista France who should have issued it under its correct ( American ) title to avoid confusion with French ( Lauzier ) version which is unfortunately not at present available on DVD anywhere ! How strange !