The Visitors

The Visitors
by Jean-Marie Poiré

Our Price: $61.49
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $22.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases

DVD Cover Information

Movie Reviews of The Visitors

Movie Review: Smart comedy, slapstick with a French knack (knight?)
Summary: 5 Stars

A medieval knight (Jean Reno, of "The Professional" and "Godzilla" fame) and his servant (Christian Clavier, a famous French comic actor, unknown abroad) got magically transported forward in time to the XXth century, where he meets his descendants - and tries to adjust to our modern world, from the mysteries of running water and flushing toilets, to those of modern women and the free pursuit of life and happiness for all. The pace never slacks, the movie offers a series of sight gags, as well as a number of more tongue-in-cheek and even (gasp) intellectual jokes and double-entendres -along w/ some "profound" reflexions slickly intertwined w/in the storyline. The movie can be approached at several levels, from the basic visceral to the high-fallutin', and has appeal to different audiences - and viewers' moods. The language is precious (difference between old French and modern French) but there's enough situational and sight humour in there that even non-French speakers should find the movie enjoyable.

The U.S. remake, albeit with the same main actors, was not quite on a par, as seems to be too often the case. I felt it favored the slapstick, and neglected the more subtle undertones that the original managed to carry as well.

If I have to pick a nit, it would be that that the DVD doesn't offer more Special features <grumble grumble> - but the movie is well-worth the purchase (or rental :-) anyway. Pick a bottle of wine and some good cheese, and make an evening of it!

Summary of The Visitors