This film is probably one of the best comedies shot in France in the 80's (with "Papy fait de la Résistance" by Jean-Marie Poirée), being a blend of Monty Python's humour with strong influence by Goscinny (the father of Astérix and other Franco-Belgian cartoons), especially in its use of anachronisms and burlesque humour. It also features a great cast with Coluche (playing the French average man as Ben Hur Marcel, the son of a garage man and plotter in spite of himself) and Serrault (an effeminate Cezar) at their best, and a handful of hilarious special guests (actors Darry Cowl, Paul Preboist, Michel Constantin, TV journalists Yves Mourousi and Leon Zitrone). Of course you should not expect very subtle humour here and sometimes it does not work ; moreover, this film has been intended for a French audience and it might be difficult to translate some of the jokes, whereas some situations might not ring a bell for non-French viewers. When Monty Python's "Life of Bryan" plays with the historical background, in 2h-15 it is a pure pretext for comedy. A must for Christmas time in France.
