Just Visiting
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Movie Reviews of Just Visiting
Movie Review: Just Good: Not So Bad Remake of French Comedy
Summary: 3 Stars
It is not unusual that films made outside America is remade with the original cast ("My Father the Hero" for instance") or with the original director ("Vanishing" and "Nightwatch"). But "Just Visiting," a French hit comedy, brings back both of them, from its original "Vistors": the leading duo, Jean Reno and Christian Clavier, and director Jean-Marie Poire. Though the result is not as good as it should be, the film has some good and hilarious moments for anyone, especially when he/she can heartily laugh at somebody else's miserable day.Jean Reno is a knight living 900 years ago, whose finance is lovely Christina Applegate. However, he accidentally kills her because of a witch's magic portion, and learns that he has to travel back to the time before he is tricked into that atrocious action. So, with a help from good magician Malcom McDowell, he is supposed to travel back to the past with his ever-faithful (and forever stinking) servant Christian Clavier through the time corridor, only to find themselves carried to modern-day Chicago by mistake!
This typical fish-out-of-water situation is used to the full, beginning with dead-serious Reno attacking a car, mistaking it for a red dragon. A kind curator Applegate (double role) takes them under her wing, at first mistaking them for her missing cousin, but soon learns that these guys in weird costumes are much more troublesome existence than she thought, messing around everything in her life.
To be honest, I didn't find the original French film so funny as people say. Probably that is because I don't buy the idea of the characters' receiving those noisy guests without much complaint. Some would find their wacky attitudes are too irritating and annoying before they remember that it is just a comedy, and they are not to be blamed. If you're a kind of person who prefers subtle, gentle touch to "Home Alone" like physical gags, you should stay away from this one. (And one of the co-writers happens to be John Hughes.)
The sub-plot about Applegate's own unfaithful fiance is just useless, and because of that plot, there is no chance for us to see chemistry between Reno and her. Eqaully regrattable is the unexpectedly gentle relation between Tara Reid and Clavier, which should have been explored more.
It is interesting, finally, to see the difference between the original French version and the American one. If you get a chance, just watch the original, which is much wackier than the remake. Clavier in Chicago, for instance, is supposed to be dirty -- every character says so -- while he in fact seems very clean. Look at the French one; he IS really, truly dirty.
Movie Review: Christina Applegate is Charming in "Just Visiting"
Summary: 3 Stars
The film based on the original French comedy is funny, original, and well-made. Christina Applegate and Jean Reno star in "Just Visiting," a fantasy tale about two guys from the 13th century, transported through time to the 20th century. While Julia (Christina Applegate) believes the guy is a cousin, lost tragically at sea, the traditional English-man and his peasant companion must adapt to the new century, and the devises and customs that they know nothing of. There is some gross-out and slapstick humor, where much of the comedy is not serious at all, but the film is very well-made for its genre, and Christina Applegate brings life to the film. Before seeing it, you think of it as just a pointless, unserious comedy, but after seeing "Just Visiting," you find the film freshing, original, and fun to watch. Tara Reid and Bridget Wilson-Sampras co-star.Movie Review: Humor Lost in Translation
Summary: 3 Stars
Just like Mon Pere Le Hero (My Father the Hero), Trois Hommes et un petit fille (Three Men and a Baby), Just Visiting lost some of the deep humor of its French original. However, Jean Reno and his fellow French actor save the day along with Christina Applegate. A 12th century spell goes wrong and two Frenchmen find themselves in 21st century Chicago with the nobleman's descendant helping them return to their own time. Its slapstick but like Monty Python, you have to understand the cultural nuances to get the joke.Movie Review: AFTER WATCHING BOTH VERSIONS
Summary: 3 Stars
I watched both versions of this movie and thought the American version was funny. Then I bought the French version and it was hysterical. There was so much left out of the American version. Even if you don't speak French, you can pretty much follow along with or without the subtitles. Jean Reno & Christian Clavier are crazy as all get out.
Obviously, I recommend the French version, but both are very entertaining!!!
Movie Review: Cute Little Movie
Summary: 3 Stars
"Cute" is the best possible way to describe this movie. It's not laugh out loud funny nor is it unfunny. The cast is likable and the storyline (which is more or less a remake of a French film) is interesting and imaginative. It's not perfect but it has plenty of moments. It's a great movie for families and/or couples to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon.