Cocorico

Cocorico is a French comedy that offers a delightful blend of humor, heart, and unexpected twists. The film revolves around two families, the aristocratic Bouvier-Sauvages and the more modest Martin family, who are brought together by the impending marriage of their children.

What sets Cocorico apart is its clever premise: the bride and groom decide to give to their parents DNA tests as a gift!

The performances are strong, with the actors delivering their lines with conviction and comedic timing. The chemistry between Christian Clavier and Didier Bourdon, who play the heads of the two families, is particularly enjoyable.

While Cocorico is primarily a comedy, it also explores deeper themes of family, identity, and acceptance.

Cocorico is a refreshing and entertaining film that is sure to leave a smile on your face. If you're looking for a lighthearted comedy with a heartwarming message, this is definitely worth checking out.

No pun intended - and obviously this has nothing to do with the Ms. Claude movies. I think we have three at this moment? I should know I watched them all - so I am probably just kidding (or am I?). And while the actor who is also known as Ms. Claude (in those other movies), plays a main role here too and is quite ... well he has some issues and racism is one of them. So while there are some similarities there are also differences ... he is of a rich family here. Which also makes him look down upon "common" folk.

The movie does take a while to get going, but we do get a lot of ... well let's just say the French do not take prisoners! Everyone and everything is being dragged through the mud. Political correctness? Well no chance for that here - a lot of cliches, a lot of things used that have a racial undertone to say the least. And I am mincing my words here, because if I wrote some of the things they say in the movie ... my review would get passed.

So you should not be over sensitive to say the least. I don't think "woke" is a bad thing - the director/characters here feel quite differently ... and that is putting it mildly ... it's funny because you laugh? Well you decide ...

The film is hilarious! It is really finely done. You do need a french sense of humor as there are some inside jokes, but it is greatly done. Especially the way of how simply they slip in jokes like that!

Sometimes there may not be a very good flow in the film but the storyline is really interesting - it is so fun to see how every bit of information reunites at a later point in the movie and it all makes sense.

So I definitely recommend this movie for its humor. I did need to watch it at least two times to really catch jokes, but this is this kind of movie that with every time you watch it once more you find new jokes and funny moments.

The concept of the movie seemed interesting. Rich people from well-known families discovering that their roots may be more humble than they think, or the opposite, seemed an interesting concept to explore. However, the movie just isn't funny at all. I am not offended by the stereotypical jokes, but they need to be funny and original.

The narrative is boring and the pacing is very slow, especially the first act. The movie spends a lot of time introducing the parents and it becomes boring. It would be funnier if they spent more time analyzing their ancestors history, how the characters' lives are affected by this new information. Instead, they prefer running old, unoriginal jokes -- Germans are Nazis, Portuguese are maids and plumbers, and so on. Those jokes could have been funny, but the script is just bad.

Finally, the direction and cinematography of the movie are plain boring. The movie doesn't have descriptive scenes to break the cadence of the narrative, so the movie feels like a continuous sequence of dialogs, with no time for the viewers to reflect on what they are watching. The actors are also below par, although I like Christian Clavier, but I admit the script doesn't help them.

Spoiler Free Review

The plot revolves around the theme of ethnic heritage and belonging. Although I like the idea of the plot, it could use a more streamlined and meaningful storyline. The film navigates through varying tones - casual, formal, comedic, overly silly, and exaggerated - creating a mixed bag of emotions.

The cinematography and editing, though basic, effectively capture the essence of each moment, balancing clarity with depth. However, I have mixed feelings about the editing. The editing sometimes appears rushed, disrupting the flow with abrupt transitions.

The first act is focused on character introductions, their backgrounds and personalities, yet feels somewhat tedious despite its insightful moments. The narrative pace is decent but lacks enough engagement to keep the interest piqued.

In contrast, the second act introduces a flavorful mix of internal and external drama, injecting curiosity and humor into the storyline. The exploration of characters' concerns over their ethnic heritage unfolds with visual flair and comedic timing, showcasing a range of emotions. Some show ego, worry, relief, and pleasure.

The cast's performances range from average to commendable, with certain scenes showcasing their skills as actors.

Conclusion:

Cocorico is a mixed bag. It's marred by pacing issues and an inconsistent tone that may alienate some viewers. Despite its flaws, the film conveys a meaningful message: the significance of growing up in a culture that shapes one's identity, overshadowing the boundaries of ethnic heritage. My final rating stands at 5/10, reflecting a cinematic experience and overall enjoyment. It shines in the idea of the story but falters in execution.