I got the DVD of this movie as a birthday gift from some in-laws who watched it on an international plane flight and (for some reason), thought I would enjoy it. I mostly stick with Hollywood movies, so I had no idea what to expect from "Bienvenue a la Chtis", but I gave the DVD a spin over the holidays when things were slow...and I ended up truly enjoying the film.Admittedly there isn't anything especially new about the premise of the film (story tellers have been riffing on the idea for decades in things like "Northern Exposure", "Doc Hollywood", and even the Pixar movie "Cars"),but these guys know how to put a film together - how to structure a story arc, how to write funny, amusing dialog (even in subtitles, the word play and the jokes about dialects were funny), and in general how keep things moving while still including plenty of telling details and charming character bits.The cast is also very strong; there's a nice group chemistry evident in most scenes, and there isn't a flat tire in the bunch.I still haven't been converted into a French cinephile, but I certainly liked this particular French film and I'm very glad I got a chance to see it.

I remember comedy hour on French radio. I remember imitations of the Bretons, of the Basques, of the Alsatians, of the French speaking Swiss and of Belgians. They are peripheral and therefore funny and not to be taken quite seriously. Now, imagine a Spanish film depicting Galicians (or, worse, Catalans!) as peripheral, kind but stupid yokels. The outcry it would generate! This belittling of regions far from the (so called) cultural centre seems to me a specific French cultural trait. And they want to be the leading nation of Europe. I am not surprised that this movie was a smash hit, everyone likes to see a story set in a pretty little town, where there are no big worries and everybody is kind and helpful (who wouldn't like to live in Bergues after the viewing?) but it's basically presenting a real place as an idyll and hunting for cheap effects. It brings nothing new or interesting to the viewers but some moments of distraction at the expense of a specific region.

OK, this isn't a masterpiece but sure is a pleasant surprise and reaches something rare: it entertains the spectator during it's entire content.There are movies that sometimes loose their balance and consequently bore the viewer making it become then a flop. However this piece of french film-making, that is to the date the most viewed movie in France, maintains a positive balance that comfortably puts a big smile on the face of those who watch it.A Portuguese critic said that this is commercial cinema, sure, but the best of it. Good performances, funny plot filled with hilarious passages and a confident directing make this a must see french 'feel-good' gem that achieves the mission of making the client happy - 7/10.

A year ago, exploring northern France after attending a 2CV rally, my wife and I came across the charming town of Bergues. 'Bienvenu...' had just been released and the town was swarming with tourists and advertisements for the film. A few weeks later we caught the film in England, when it played at our local 'art' cinema. The film's a delight. We've just borrowed it on DVD and it again reduced us to tears of laughter; a warm, funny film about the destruction of pomposity and prejudice and the value of that most important of human relationships, friendship. Great slapstick moments and English subtitles that reflect the word play arising from the interplay between the slushy local dialect - Ch'ti - and French. See the film, then visit the town - both are delightful.