Laurent Tirard
Il piccolo Nicolas e i suoi genitori

I needed a wholesome film, light, short, unassuming, and carefree after two disappointing movies beyond any dire expectation that left me with a bitter disappointment. I felt the need to clear my palate. A bit like when, after a wine that unexpectedly tastes corked, you gulp down a gallon of water before opening a new bottle. A bit like when the computer gets stuck, and after a few choice words, you do the Jonathan Edwards on the keyboard with your index and middle fingers.

“If it’s a girl, I’ll throw it in the bin”. A broken record that tormented my pregnant mother for 4 months. If I leaf through it absentmindedly, skipping the years and capitals I’ve visited with leaps of two or three pages, I always stop at the same point. And I find myself looking at that photo: I get lost in her gaze, revealing all the hatred and brotherly jealousy for the blonde pebble that has fallen into the tranquil lake of her existence. My brother's existence, of course.

After "Welcome," I take you once again for a stroll in France to offer warm and heartfelt praises for Laurent Tirard and his latest work: the comedy “Little Nicholas and His Parents”.

Winking and stereotyped (teacher's pet-snitch, chubby-garbage can, athletic-dunce, and rich-kid-moneymachine) classmates accompany our little hero Nicolas in a fairytale-like odyssey where they fight without rules against the newcomer.
The fast pace with which the scenes alternate is enjoyable, and the satirical humor captures the ineptitude and stupidity of the adult world. It’s a celebration of childhood imagination, of fantasy that distorts the overly grey and predictable daily reality. Sometimes the script overdoes it, and perhaps a couple of hits on the brakes wouldn't have hurt, especially towards the end, but overall it’s a good comedy with almost comic and unreal overtones fit to start the weekend, concluding with a great display of 32 teeth for everyone after marvelous adventures.

But, dear Nicolas, in the end, what the heck are you laughing about? You might convince yourself otherwise, but it’s us, the latest arrivals, who are the real mama's favorites.

Ilfreddo