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DVD Review
L'Auberge Espagnole
By Stephen Lucas Published January 9, 2004
US Release: May 16, 2003
Directed by: Cedric Klapisch
R
Running Time: 122 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $3,897,799
Directed by: Cedric Klapisch
R
Running Time: 122 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $3,897,799
B
A rather simplistic plot is given solid treatment by crafty direction, interesting writing, and a fitting cast.
Picture it: Spain, a crammed apartment with six other people; everyone comes from different places and speaks different languages; you're a student, studying economics at university to the liking of your distant father. And last but not least, the love of your life is hundreds of miles away. If you can imagine that, then you're more or less able to empathize with the main character of "L'Auberge Espagnole" (French for "The Spanish Apartment).
The film, a colorfully done comedy of sorts, centers on this man dealing with the conditions above. Though it seems strenuous, he's having the time of his life, and so are we. As a somewhat off-kilter adventure, "L'Auberge" is an enjoyable film which, with the help of a viable ensemble cast, is a memorable picture.
What I admire about foreign films such as this one (predominately spoken in French, in a mix of European languages) is how creative they sometimes are. The most well known and well-respected French film of the last few years is "Amelie," the Jean-Pierre Jeunet feel-good fable starring Audrey Tautou. That film, among my recent favorites, grasps its story and smothers it in color, wit, and charm. "L'Auberge Espagnole" may not be as groundbreaking or as subtly poignant as the latter, but a rather simplistic plot is given solid treatment by crafty direction, interesting writing, and, as mentioned, a fitting cast. (Ironically, Tautou has a small role in this film.)
I'm not entirely sure that I haven't seen this film before in terms of story, but it isn't often that a journey such as this one is told in quite as appealing of a manner. The characters we meet in the film are realistic and edgy. The film opens in France and we're struck with a rather dry, reserved tone, but once he arrives in Spain, the film gets a jolt of adrenaline. (Is that a political statement about France? Maybe.) The majority of the film is spent with the main character and how he reacts to his new surroundings and the people he encounters.
It?s hard enough to get used to a different culture (let alone, another language), so when a French-speaking couple take Xavier in, it?s a relief; also, he has nowhere else to go. It?s instantly apparent that the wife has feelings for Xavier, but we know it before he does. Then, at University, he meets a young woman who's very fiery and opinionated; after she stands up in class to voice a group complaint, he's smitten ? it turns out, however, that she's a lesbian. Despite that fact, he finds a friend in her and invites her to be the seventh member of the apartment; needless to say she fits right in.
?L?Auberge Espagnole? is pretty much up-front about its intentions and emotions, which can be good or bad at different times. I remember thinking at some point near the middle of the film how this film is almost like a cinematic version of MTV?s The Real World in that it?s a melting pot of personalities. However much some may argue that the Real World is a useless reality show, there?s little denying that it?s an interesting social demonstration for teenagers. ?L?Auberge,? unlike the named television show, has little conflict or melodrama.
There?s a part of me wishing that there was a more substantial purpose to the two-hour movie, but there?s not very much for me to complain about besides the ending. After spending time with Xavier on his journey, the ending seemed too predictable for my taste; I would have preferred (but wouldn?t demand) a more original and creative way to end the story than the way they did. Watching the film is almost like taking a vacation and just doing so for the hell of it. If all trips were as entertaining and lively as ?L?Auberge Espagnole,? then maybe all of us should use our passports more often.
The film, a colorfully done comedy of sorts, centers on this man dealing with the conditions above. Though it seems strenuous, he's having the time of his life, and so are we. As a somewhat off-kilter adventure, "L'Auberge" is an enjoyable film which, with the help of a viable ensemble cast, is a memorable picture.
What I admire about foreign films such as this one (predominately spoken in French, in a mix of European languages) is how creative they sometimes are. The most well known and well-respected French film of the last few years is "Amelie," the Jean-Pierre Jeunet feel-good fable starring Audrey Tautou. That film, among my recent favorites, grasps its story and smothers it in color, wit, and charm. "L'Auberge Espagnole" may not be as groundbreaking or as subtly poignant as the latter, but a rather simplistic plot is given solid treatment by crafty direction, interesting writing, and, as mentioned, a fitting cast. (Ironically, Tautou has a small role in this film.)
I'm not entirely sure that I haven't seen this film before in terms of story, but it isn't often that a journey such as this one is told in quite as appealing of a manner. The characters we meet in the film are realistic and edgy. The film opens in France and we're struck with a rather dry, reserved tone, but once he arrives in Spain, the film gets a jolt of adrenaline. (Is that a political statement about France? Maybe.) The majority of the film is spent with the main character and how he reacts to his new surroundings and the people he encounters.
It?s hard enough to get used to a different culture (let alone, another language), so when a French-speaking couple take Xavier in, it?s a relief; also, he has nowhere else to go. It?s instantly apparent that the wife has feelings for Xavier, but we know it before he does. Then, at University, he meets a young woman who's very fiery and opinionated; after she stands up in class to voice a group complaint, he's smitten ? it turns out, however, that she's a lesbian. Despite that fact, he finds a friend in her and invites her to be the seventh member of the apartment; needless to say she fits right in.
?L?Auberge Espagnole? is pretty much up-front about its intentions and emotions, which can be good or bad at different times. I remember thinking at some point near the middle of the film how this film is almost like a cinematic version of MTV?s The Real World in that it?s a melting pot of personalities. However much some may argue that the Real World is a useless reality show, there?s little denying that it?s an interesting social demonstration for teenagers. ?L?Auberge,? unlike the named television show, has little conflict or melodrama.
There?s a part of me wishing that there was a more substantial purpose to the two-hour movie, but there?s not very much for me to complain about besides the ending. After spending time with Xavier on his journey, the ending seemed too predictable for my taste; I would have preferred (but wouldn?t demand) a more original and creative way to end the story than the way they did. Watching the film is almost like taking a vacation and just doing so for the hell of it. If all trips were as entertaining and lively as ?L?Auberge Espagnole,? then maybe all of us should use our passports more often.
Stephen's Grade: B
Stephen's Overall Grading: 23 graded movies
| A | 8.7% | |
| B | 43.5% | |
| C | 47.8% | |
| D | 0.0% | |
| F | 0.0% |
