The Under-Gifted

'Baccalauréat' examination is a very important feature of French culture and civilization. Its importance can be assessed by the fact that the intellectual stance of a person is measured in France by ascertaining how many marks did that person get in his/her 'baccalauréat'/"Bac" examinations.Each year,this examination receives elaborate press as well as electronic media coverage. Despite the importance of this examination which is extremely popular outside of France too, there are not many French films which have shown the importance of "Baccalauréat" examination in a light manner. This is one reason why "Les Sous-Doués Passent Le Bac" must be considered a major achievement in the history of French cinema as it treats 'baccalauréat' examination in a very light fashion.French director Claude Zidi chose to highlight restrictions which were put on a group of students in order to make them succeed in their "Bac" exams. Watching this film, it appears as if the students have lost their sense of freedom. It is at this juncture that they decide to play ingenious tricks in classroom in order to score excellent grades. Les Sous-Doués Passent Le Bac shows us the world of students from their perspective as it enables us to understand why youngsters would like to have fun at all costs. It is a pure, visual delight to watch leading men of French cinema Daniel Auteuil, Michel Galabru, Feodor Atkine and Richard Bohringer. Lastly, Claude Zidi worked in close association with Didier Kaminka and Michel Fabre to pen a highly inventive script full of gags and unexpected comic situations.