As a French, besides from being supposed to know which wine to choose at the liquor store, I'm often asked about French movies.

So I thought it would be interesting to compare French cinema with its American counterpart. Here are a few things to know:
We don't do blockbusters. We do comedies or psychological movies. We like to laugh and talk, not to chase the bad guys.
The story will often be ambiguous and complex, even for us.
Don't always expect a happy or even understandable ending.
Cinema is an art and has to express something. Whether you understand it or not is not the point.

I was very interested to read an article a couple of months ago about French films remade by Hollywood. Did you know that 'True Lies' and 'Three men and a baby' are French-to-English remakes? I personally think some remakes are impossible. That is why I didn't go see 'Dinner for Schmucks' based on the French hit 'Le diner de cons'. Some jokes and puns just can't be translated or even transformed.

There is a very funny (and so true) group on Facebook called "The things that only happen in American movies". Unfortunately, it is written in French but if you have even basic notions of this language, I suggest you visit the group here, you'll laugh. Here are a few that illustrate how the two film genres don't pay the same attention to details: "Chased in a city, you will always be likely to hide yourself in the middle of a Saint Patrick procession, any day of the year.", "At the time to pay the taxi, never look in your wallet. Randomly take a banknote and give it to the driver: It is always the exact price.", "There is no light in the kitchen. Just use the one from the fridge."

Now, here's what you have been waiting for... a few suggestions of French movies. The subtitles in English won't probably do the trick but I hope you will appreciate them:
Le Grand Bleu
La Grande Vadrouille
Les Visiteurs
Leon
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain
8 Femmes
Jean de Florette / Manon des sources
Cyrano de Bergerac
La Haine

Enjoy!


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