Just Visiting (2001)

the audience applauded

Highly Overrated But Still Good

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

This is the American remake of one our best classic comedy. The originality for us french people is that this remake uses the same original and french duo of medieval heroes ! Thus as this movie deals with time travel, we get a really innovative experiment : if « BTF2 » was a travel into « BTF1 », this remake is like going into a parallel earth : it's the same story more or less, the same scenes and funny moments but in a total, new environment because we jump from a small rural french village to big city Chicago ! When it becomes even more crazy for me, it's because I know a bit Chicago after visiting it so i was as well in a known territory ! I found « Kelly Bundy » to do a good job and in all cases with more talent that the dreadful Robin used in the french sequel ! In a way, the variations really clarify and wakes up the story ; the production has more money to do great sets and effects ! It's true that i don't laugh as much, maybe because i was always in the gang ! But i also watched it in french so i lost all the pleasure to hear my fellows speak in medieval English ! In addition, it's a pity that the heir of Jacquouille has been erased because as Clavier was a electrical maniac funny actor, his character misses. To conclude, the remake is a bit less good than the french original but much better than its sequel !

I vastly enjoyed this film. I love movies about accidental time travel, and this one was more fun than most in the situations the two medieval men -- a knight and his squire -- found themselves in. Jean Reno, who seems usually to play heavier roles, shows great comedic flair, as does his squire, Christian Clavier. Christina Applegate was warm and sympathetic as the confused, distant descendant of the knight, and Matt Ross was a boo/hiss-worthy bad guy. Oh, and one mustn't forget Malcolm MacDowell, who really steals the show as the low-budget, eccentric wizard who messes up one spell after another.The movie had some great laughs and even a couple of heartwarming, tender moments. I was sorry when it ended. I can't fathom why it has such low scores here, but trust me as a longtime moviegoer, with a collection of movies from the silents to the recent, this one is worth the time to watch.

Important events of our times have been kept in time capsules only to be opened in other centuries. Imagine opening the contents of one of these devices in another eight centuries. Our world, as we know it, might look ridiculous, even with the amount of sophistication and advances. Such idea is behind the premise of "Just Visiting", an American remake of "Les visiteurs", a success in France, but such a failure in this country.Directed by Jean Marie Poire, the same director for the original French original. Working on the screenplay with Christian Clavier, who also plays an important part in all the versions, and John Hughes, they have transferred the action from present day France to Chicago. Ueli Steiger, the cinematographer, captured the city in all its splendor.The story juxtaposes the way life was led in the 12th century and today's environment in a large American metropolis. Thibault, a noble man who is about to marry Lady Rosalind, is given a potion that puts him to sleep for centuries. His vassal, Andre, is also a victim of the sorcery.Alas, when they awake, they are in an alien world. Since they rouse in a fine arts museum, they feel right at home, that is, until they have to deal with the unknown world outside, full of dangers they must overcome. The only familiar face is that of Julia, a curator, who resembles Rosalind; in fact, they are related! Jean Reno, who usually is seen in heavier roles, strikes the perfect pose for his Thibault, the romantic nobleman out of place from his regal surroundings. Christian Clavier is perfect as the clownish Andre, the lord's slave who takes to the new world with passion. Christina Applegate is the object of Thibault's love and admiration.There are a lot of laughs in this film that merits a viewing thanks to its creators.

Has anyone else noticed the Nighthawks (Edward Hopper, 1942) reference in the diner right before Julia learns how to use the sword? There is a redheaded woman in a red dress and a man in a fedora sitting at the counter. The person behind the counter is wearing a paper hat. I know the painting hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago, but I don't know if the scene is supposed to be in Chicago or New York or just a generic diner in a city. Since there was no commentary on the DVD I rented, I couldn't find out the reasoning behind including the characters from that painting. Any help? Peggy