I don't know much about Corsica, but it is not hard to imagine that this island stuck rigidly between Italian and French cultures is made fun of often. This hilarious film brings out the beauty of the island and its culture with great humor. Every scene has something hilarious in it. I suppose you do have to start off with an international mind set to enjoy the details. I do not speak any French, but the argument about Corsican ("it's not a dialect, it's a language" "but I understand everything you're saying" "shut up!"), the street names named after Rome and Napoleon, the mutt dog which the "mainlander" French detective calls a mutt and is corrected by an offended bar owner, saying it is a special Corsican breed, the island men singing songs "of Corsican culture" at 2 AM in the morning, the guilt tripping while drinking at the bar, the political separatist factions that are made up of the same group of 20 or so men with ridiculous outfits, the local police vs. crime unit vs. secret police trying to catch Jean Reno's character, Ange... Everything is just hilarious. The ridiculous backward and rural mindset of the locals is juxtaposed with the international tourist destination identity of the island. Everything is, as should be in a comedy like this, a bit over the top, and the locals are not that backward, and the island is just beautiful even in parts that are rural, or maybe especially so... Reno is excellent, as usual. Christian Clavier, probably even more so. The duo have great chemistry. The supporting cast, especially the two men who are Ange's most trusted accomplices, are superbly acted.
Overall, a great crime farce and a heartwarming comedy (with a few bombs... with tampons...)
Overall, a great crime farce and a heartwarming comedy (with a few bombs... with tampons...)