Quarter to Two Before Jesus Christ (1982)
In antique Rome, a simple pepboy for chars becomes involved in a coup against Cesar. Rahatlocum is a North African Roman colony where Julius Caesar came to spend an expensive holiday. The revolt rumbles among the small people who find a leader in the person of Ben-Hur Marcel.
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Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful
It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
Blistering performances.
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.
Despite I am a french man I can say that this movie (made to laught at the characters) is a piece of clownery: so it is pitiable! Furthermore, this film is blasphemous , free of charge, without any historical background. I am not a puritan but so many grimaces are too much for any interest! Jean Yanne, the chief of the staff had to pay taxes to the State, may be. It is an opinion, no more!
Mediocre comedy set just before the arrival of Christ. Ceasar is preparing to receive Cleopatra. But the people is not happy with Ceasar's governance. There's some good scene, like the gladiators going on strike because they want better work conditions. Funny also to see that they had television at the time! Also, the advertisement during the circus. But there's also tasteless humor in this one. I mean, come on, the whole scene with Ceasar being gay. It's so typical of the bad taste comedies from the 80's. And the scene goes on, and on, and on. I almost fell asleep. Michel Serrault's talent is wasted as Ceasar. And Coluche's character is not too inspiring neither.Out of 100, I give it 67. That's good for *½ out of ****.Seen at home, in Toronto, on December 10th, 2002.