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Côte d'Azur (Crustacés & Coquillages) (French) [Cockles & Muscles]

I had seen this film way back in early 2000's when I had just been exposed to the queer films and also before I started writing my blog. So, I am glad I got to watch it again, relive how much fun this movie was to watch and how I wish more makers make this sort of light hearted comedy films which don't tale life too seriously. We all deserve to have a good time once in a while, when we can forget our stress and worries and just have a good time.

A Parisian couple, Mac and Beatrix, are enjoying a seaside summer holiday with their teenage son and daughter. While the daughter is off for a biking adventure with her boyfriend, Their son Charly is with them. Charly's best friend Martin also joins them later for vacation. The couple falsely convinces themselves that Charly is gay and that Martin is his boyfriend. Marc is initially uncomfortable with the idea but Beatrix is very happy. But the truth is only Martin is gay. Charly is straight and they both just happen to be the best of friends and Charly enjoys the fact that his parents suspect he is gay. Beatrix's lover from their hometown soon arrives there as well and we see some fun sexcapades between the two. Te lover wants something serious with Beatrix but she is not sure of leaving her family. Martin is teenage and has his hormones flowing and goes to local cruising place where Charly also follows him and meets a plumber Didier. Only later we find out that Didier is in fact an old lover of Marc from his younger days. But Marc wanted a family and kids and convinced himself to be straight. Beatrix and Marc confess their secrets to each other and thankfully there is no melodrama. The film ends a year later where all these couples (this time Charly has a girlfriend) come together in the same home to enjoy the summer.

The film is not path breaking by any means, its light hearted but I think thats precisely the reason it works. I loved the Dutch reference and how they are pretty cool about everything. All the scenes between Charly and Martin are really nice. Though Charly knows about martin's sexuality and that Martin possibly had a crush on him, this fact never comes between their friendship. They fight, they make up, they laugh. Its easy to relate with parents on why they would think the boys are a couple. Initially it is awkward to see why Marc is so uncomfortable with the idea of his son being gay but soon we find out why and it all makes sense. Beatrix and her rendezvous with her lover are all very funny. She clearly doesn't give a rat's ass of what others think and believes that everyone has the right to live their life the way they want to. Its rightly promoted as a sex comedy of errors, which it is and in fact is a lot of fun to watch.

I can't imagine anyone not liking this film. A fun light hearted very "French" film, that takes up topics like sexuality, fidelity, relationships, and youth and create a fun viewing experience for audience that ends up with a smile on your face. (7.5/10)

Comments

luigi43 said…
And , like an icing on the cake , the end danced and sung like in a musical. Very pleasant , summer film.
Golu said…
Exactly. A simple, fun-filled summer film with a musical number at the end

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