The French hit comedy and France’s top grossing film of all time, BIENVENUE CHEZ LES CH’TIS is a real winner.  Hilarious from start to finish without a dull moment, the film proves that a successful comedy is no flash in the pan.

The premise is the difference between the French in the north and south of France.  A southern postal worker, Philippe Abrams (Kad Merad) hopes for a transfer to the sunny Cote D’Azur but gets wound up way up north to the town of Bergues as a punishment.  His wife, Julie (Zoe Felix) pities and sympathizes with the result that their marriage never going on this well with him away.  The trouble is that the Ch’tis up north, though speaking funny with different pronunciations are extremely nice and hospitable.  For example, Abram’s co-workers furnish Abrams with everything he needs out of their own pocket.  Abrams is happy and content while Julie believes her husband to be suffering.  So, when she springs him a surprise visit, les Ch’tis pretend to be obnoxious, crude, rude and simple.  Director Dany Boon plays Abrams’ subordinate. 

This type of French comedy has worked before.  The best example that comes to mind is LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (remade as THE BIRDCAGE) where a gay couple pretends to be straight to fool their son’s in-laws.  Coincidentally, the actor playing the father-in-law in LA CAGE, Michel Galabru has a cameo as Abram’s uncle in this movie.  Like the effeminate Michel Serrault trying to act straight in LA CAGE Abrams learns how to speak ch’tis, with hilarious results.

One need not be French to enjoy this comedy of manners.  The translation works well enough.  But for those who have travelled the country of France and know a bit of French – c’est moi – the entertainment is enhanced.  For example, Ch’ti is the local beer and the actors are often seen drinking the beer which comes in the distinct yellow cans.  In the process, many new words like biloute (weenie), food like maroilles (a local cheese) and ficadelle and curse words like millard (in place of merde) can be learnt.

The pronunciation of ‘c’ as ‘sh’ and ‘s’ as ‘ch’ results in one very comical sequence akin to the famous Abbot and Costello skit of “Who’s on Second”.

The film has a distinct authenticity to it.  Boon’s mother is from LES CH’TIS and Boon has dedicated his film to her.  In the tradition of the best of French comedies like LE DINER DE CONS and LE ZEBRE, BIENVENUE CHEZ LES CH’TIS is commercial movie-making at its best.  Warner Brothers and Will Smith’s company have bought the rights to this movie.  It will be a tough job to do this film justice.