Most of the reviews have already explained much of the plot, story, etc... so I'll take this in another direction: what its really all about.While "Les Bronzés" is a comedy, much of it is based on real-life situations that actually happen and what goes on in these vacation villages. I know because not only did I grow up in France and understand their psyche, but I worked for the company parodied for a while.From the attitude of the GOs, to the naiveté of the GMs, the goofy activities in the village to the sleeping arrangements - the nightly banquets to the evening shows - pretty much everything is portrayed spot on. And *that's* what makes the movie really funny. This movie is a classic in France.Some of the humor will be lost in translation, however, the subtitles are pretty close to conveying the jist of humor when they cannot be accurately translated. It's a must see for any francophile looking for a good laugh. And if you liked this one, Thierry Lhermite is also in "Le Diner des Cons", which was just remade in Hollyweird as "The Dinner Game".

If one looks closely at the history of French cinema there is no doubt that Patrice Leconte's cult film "Les Bronzés" has achieved the status of a classic film.The sad thing is that it is considered as a classic film but in a very negative sense.This is because a major section of academic critics in France and elsewhere would never be ready to acknowledge it as a true classic film representing the essential qualities of French culture.Whatever critics might say,reality is that all viewers need film a like this as the survival of art cinema is not possible without the growth of commercial cinema.It is really hard to believe that Patrice Leconte has directed this comic film in the early stages of his career.He is more famous as a director who has made many brilliant psychological dramas in the later part of his successful career.In order to appreciate "Les Bronzés",a viewer must know French language or familiarize oneself with aspects of French culture otherwise the meaning of innumerable rib tickling jokes will surely be lost.This is simply because some of jokes and situations in this film are simply untranslatable.It is a known fact that French people are true expert connoisseurs of sea,sex and sun but some of the behavioral traits of Gallic people shown in "Les Bronzés" are not entirely full of truth as not all French people behave in an irresponsible,wacky manner when they are away from home.The best way to remember and watch "Les Bronzés" is to consider it as one of those rare films in which an intelligent eye can sense hopelessness,misery and pain even in the lives of carefree tourists making merry.

This French cult movie is now available on DVD and the plus factor is that it boasts virtually all of Splendid, the theatre company who collectively wrote and acted in several landmark productions such as Le Pere Noel est une ordeure, and is a chance to see the early - it was only his second full-length film - directorial work of Patrice Leconte but the negative factor is the dubbed English soundtrack which not only misses 90 per cent of the verbal humour, for which it can't be blamed but contrives to make all the characters sound the same, as if they could only run to one male and one female and hired two dorks who were unable to speak in anything other than monotones. Even if you don't speak French or speak only grade-school French you're probably better off ignoring the dubbed option and just relish this tightly-knit group of actors-writers in their salad days - Josie Balasko, for example is barely recognizable as a size 10 - and have fun trying to locate such modern stars as Thierry Thermitte, Gerard Jugnot, Michel Blanc etc. Essentially it's a send-up of the Club Med scene and plays more like a series of vignettes than a well-made play but the rewards are there if you persevere.

This movie is a myth, a classic for the French young generation. If you meet a French girl or guy and try to make contact with him or her, you can be sure that a little quote from "Les Bronzés" will start a passionate conversation.Nevertheless, you must have a very good knowledge of the French language because of all the jokes and puns; if it's not the case this movie may appear as a very "unfunny" comedy.You must know that there's a sequel, "les Bronzés font du ski", which has had a great audience success (it's on French TV once a semester and I am not kidding) but which appears to be less funny (less puns). However, it seems to be even more mythical that the first opus.