Les Boys

I've seen Les Boys back in 1997 when I was pretty bored of those shoot em up American movies. I've spent a hell a good time. It was pure fun all the way ! A movie about hockey will never be as good as this one. Movies like Mighty Ducks and Mystery Alaska are insults to this sport. In Québec, hockey is a religion. It's our national sport. Unfortunately, you must speak french fluently if you want to understand the jokes. If you do, you won't be disappointed.

Les Boys is the story of Stan, a hockey club owner who owes 50 000 $ to a guy named Méo. If he doesn't pay Méo back before the end of the week, he get his legs broken. But Méo finds another way to bargain with Stan as he proposes him to plan a game between Stan's Boys and his own team. But will the Boys accept to help Stan...

This movie was full of laughs and gags as the movie explores the characters' private lives. Bob is a ladiesman who needs cash, Ti-Guy is a lonely salesman who extorts money form people by sailing old ugly houses and apartments, Jean-Charles is a gay lawyer who hides his homosexuality, François is a surgeon and Julien is a dope head guitarist. All of these colourful characters create a perfect climax that shows how hard life can get at sometimes and how beautiful it could be at other times. It's a great comedy about friendship, women, hockey and life.

Les Boys is part of Louis Saïa's epic saga that continues with Les Boys 2 and Les Boys 3. Overall, a good movie with an excellent (canadian) cast. Have fun watching this different kind of movie.

When other countries can invest $70 to 285 millions in a movie production, here, in Quebec, we still have difficultly reaching the $3 millions. Though, since the money is not given easily, we would appreciate, as a public, to see good movies... "Les boys" is a predictable story of a hockey team. I don't need to tell you more! It's a "Mighty Ducks" version for grown-ups. The style is not worked out, and the cast is just good enough to keep you from leaving the theater.

When are we, as a country, stand up and finally find our own style, unique and wonderful? A "Les boys" and the up-coming "Les boys 2" (it's a sequel!) really tell us that Quebec is not yet ready for this to happen...

A poor film: 1 tiny * on 10.

This is far from the movie of the year. But still, one can enjoy the adventures of a local hockey team. The jokes are good, even though some are «cliché». The actors are quite good in their roles, especially Patrick Huard and Yvan Ponton. Hockey is part of the French-Canadian culture, and it's not hard to see why this movie was a huge success. I gave it a 7.

I don't understand why this film make it so big in Quebec. It's not so funny, there's only two or three good jokes (Luc Guérin when he says: Je dois pas être beau à voir!) but the rest is just too big, with no surprise. No subtlety. A big deception because the idea was good.

Sports related movies tend to interest a rather select crowd, unless the script can provide enough diversive character or background development. LES BOYS does so, broadening its appeal, and telling a pretty good story. There's some pretty funny antics, and a few exceptional bon mots. Unfortunately, like most sports films, there's a LOT of cliche and predictability, too. LES BOYS doesn't sink from the weight of this truth, yet it is not helped, either. Pleasant, but not exactly hilarious.

The characters are normal, likeable, gregarious folks, who gather to blow off stress via their weekly hockey games. We get to know them somewhat, and enjoy the film much more in the process. It's an easy going movie that'll entertain. Recommended.