Os incorrigíveis Saem de Férias

1982 was the year of sequels in the French vinema. Claude Pinoteau made "La Boum 2", while his compatriot and synonymous colleague Claude Zidi continued the adventures of his under-gifted students by making them go on vacation. The result was a film that succeeded in being a good sequel since the director changed no ingredient in his winning formula.

Some time after their examinations, the heroes now feel the need to relax and go on vacation. Bébel (Daniel Auteuil) is determined to travel to the Seychelles with his girlfriend, Jennifer. She, of course, dumps him, and poor Bébel will try finding a job, since he's strapped for cash. Luck shines for him at this extent; he works as a test subject for an invention called the "Love computer ". According to the crazy scientist who invented it, it can show if two people are made for each other when listening to a song. It is through these sessions that our hero meets Claudine, a blonde with blue eyes deeper than his intelligence.

Unfortunately, the famous club owner Paul Memphis (Guy Marchand) has also fallen in love with Claudine. Under the guise of wanting her as a helper for a concert in Saint Tropez, he travels with her to this eternal setting of French comedies, leaving Bébel behind. So start the efforts of poor Bébel to win Claudine's heart again, justifying the love computer's conclusion about these two.

In "Les sous-doués en vacances ", Zidi changed nothing from the first film but the setting. The heroes are all there, with their mischievous pranks now aimed to Memphis rather than the teachers. The mood of carelessness that exists in the first opus is also there, and, coupled with some 80's atmosphere in clubs and beaches makes for a feast for both the comedy lover and the 80's enthusiast.

Not only is the movie hilarious, but its soundtrack is also exemplary of what French pop had to offer at the time. Vladimir Cosma gifted a score composed of infectious hits, some of them also found in "La Boum 2" and "Le père Noël est une ordure". The timeless hit song, "Destinée" performed by co-star Guy Marchand, is one of the most famous slows in France, and was danced to death (if one can die from standing too much) in clubs and parties.

A film with a plot that works through being just fast-paced enough to be engaging, a soundtrack as commercial as it gets, and a cast of the most hilarious kind, "Les sous-doués en vacances " is a cheap comedy à la française, that is successful because of its honesty. It doesn't try to be anything else but funny, its capable cast hiding their seriousness for the audience's amusement. Zidi knew where his talent lay; in making people laugh. With "Les sous-doués en vacances ", he certainly did so. He was, indeed, destined for comedy.