rg A useful film, if one's studying French socialist thought. In this film all characters are mere debris at the mercy of a capitalist tide. And the "terror" of globalization looms just over the horizon! A serious study of the French Revolution (1789) and its Reign of Terror would be helpful background to understanding this director's seeming grudge against life's realities as acted out by the lead characters. The story line is minimal, with an overpowering message of "death to all aristocrats (capitalists)!" immediately recognizable to any student of French history. Do they still buy this tripe on the Left Bank? Apparently so. If you're watching this as part of a college course you may well ask yourself just how sensible your professor is. But then, he/she's likely to have long since tipped his hand by continually denigrating all that questions Marxist/socialist dogma. Continue to feign agreement, as your final course grade may well depend on it!

yeekar The love between Marius and Jeannette is sweet. Perhaps a film that would relate more with viewers 40+, this film still has some connection with most of the other age groups. I had to study this in school and it's funny how it relates to such issues as: • Belonging versus alienation • Coping with change • Tolerance of difference This film really works on two levels: entertainment and education. The story initially focuses on Jeannette and her family, but soon everyone in her neighbourhood gets involved in the storyline. Each character experiences love, pain, acceptance and changes. This film predominantly relies on its actors. All the actors really get into their roles, and it does show that they are having plenty of fun. Simply put, this film is simple and lovely.

MartinHafer My score of a 6 is lower than most ratings for this movie. I think much of this is because I found myself irritated by Jeanette and could see no reason for Marius to fall for her. To me, she was VERY bad tempered and crabby. This combined with their first meeting (when Marius caught her stealing paint) made the entire relationship unsatisfying and a bit ridiculous. Yes, Marius was lonely but couldn't he have found better? If they had written her part a little better, it would have been a much better film. Also, this film might put off some of the more politically conservative viewers, as the virtues of communism are touted by one of the main characters and the film is "dedicated to the workers". This is a very French sentiment--where communism, socialism and conservatism have coexisted for some time.

Philby-3 Marius and Jeanette, a couple of life's walking wounded from the low rent side of the tracks, get it together with the help of their Marseilles neigbourhood. They meet when Jeanette tries to steal paint for her grotty flat from the demolition site guarded by Marius. Watching the film was for the most part like watching paint dry, but it was a pretty finish. The snail's pace seems to be a feature of French romantic comedy, even a working class one like this. Perhaps it's so all the minor characters can tell us their oddball philosphies so we can marvel at how un-hung up about life (and therefore how truly French) they all are. The film plugs a vague feelgood socialism and makes the point that while you don't have to be an idiot to vote National Front (le Pen's neo Nazi party) it helps (the dumbest of the neighbours is a supporter).Worth seeing? Yes, if you don't mind the slow pace. The people are ordinary but interesting and the location authentic. Slice of life stuff, but certainly cheaper than a trip to Marseilles.