Bimboland (1998) User Reviews

Good scenes, but incomplete story

[anton-79 · 5/10 · 17 March 2006]

This film has some nice and funny scenes, and a setup for an interesting story, but unfortunately the scenes do not combine into a story. Actually there are fragments of three stories: Cécile's research, the romance between Cécile and Laurent, and the friendship between Cécile and Alex. A brilliant film could have told them all, a decent film one or two of them, but this one completes none of them.

Some things just seem to be missing: E.g., both the quarrel between Cécile and Alex and their reconciliation were pretty unmotivated; and we did not know that Alex should be saved from the operation, so the ending was an anticlimax. Also, we hear about Alex' mother, and it sounds meaningful, but it has no effect on the rest of the film.

Of course, for me the main attraction of the film is Judith Godrèche, and she is beautiful as usual (more as Cécile than as Brigitte, so Bimbos don't work for everyone), and she was in every scene, so that made up somewhat for the story problems (for me).

Offensive to Maori

[dugong1 · 5/10 · 24 September 2009]

I did enjoy the film. However, Gerard Depardieu's character is an anthropologist whose main focus of study are the Maori of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Being from New Zealand, I have grown up with Maori culture. So it affected my appreciation of the film when the character shows a Maori tattoo which is blue. BLUE?!?! Blue is NOT the colour of a Maori Tattoo! And there is a scene where the character recreates a haka - - but in an extremely incorrect way. A Maori haka is a dance or war; it is meant to show strength, empower your warriors and scare the opposition. One doesn't run from side to side slapping oneself for no reason and throwing ones arms in the air like a monkey. It is offensive. Gah! Who did their research?! Bimboland does tell a good story. But please do some effective research, lest you alienate your international audience.

Shame!

[LeRoyMarko · 5/10 · 22 September 2002]

Too bad Judit Godrèche's, Aure Atika's and Gérard Depardieu's great talent was wasted on this flick. It's bad! OK, there's beautiful woman in it, but it doesn't make it more easier to enjoy. Some parts of the film show potential, but it's not going further. Like if the director said: let's not try to make this an intelligent film about this one, let's just sell tickets for the screenings. Too bad!

I give it 65. That's good for *½ out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on September 9th, 2002.

Silly, but guys will like it!

[rachreby · 11 September 2002]

I can understand why this movie received such a low rating. Women will be offended by the blatant sexism in the film, and the plot is very shallow. The film is kind of like one of those old Love That Bob series with Robert Cummings. The slapstick situations that are, well, funny. However, being a normal male that likes to look at hot women, I enjoyed the film. It also reminded me of Superman, where Lois Lane loved Superman, she didn't like Clark Kent though. Gerard Depardieu doesn't like Judith Godreche as a brilliant research person with her hair up and wearing glasses, but when she dresses up like a Bimbo and acts like one--he loves her! Ok, so it wasn't one of those sophisticated deep films. Even though it probably deserves its low IMDB rating of 4, I'm ashamed to admit it--I liked it.

Blonde stereotype

[jotix100 · 4/10 · 12 March 2013]

Cecile Bussy, a university student working on her thesis, has made important contributions to further her knowledge by going to remote areas to discover primitive people in their habitat. Unfortunately, nothing seems to stop the advancement of progress as Cecile returns to find the natives enjoying modern conveniences.

Cecile is told of a change at the helm of the university, where Laurent Gaspard will be her boss. She is a dowdy dresser, feeling an attraction to Gaspard, she is told by the popular Alex Baretto she must act as a bimbo if she wants to win Gaspard's affections. Alex supervises Cecile's transformation from a scholar into a vapid blonde joke.

Not having a clue as to what "Bimboland" was about,we took a chance in watching. The film, as directed by Ariel Zeitoun will certainly did nothing for women. Just the mere idea to become a "bimbo" is unimaginable, but it is more than an attitude, it is basically to play and act dumb in order to get favors from rich men. Judith Godreche, Gerard Depardieu and Aure Atika will not add anything to their resumes based on this movie.

I love this movie

[irena-pasvinter · 9/10 · 12 October 2008]

I love this movie and I am not offended with it even though it may be regarded by some people as a "sexist movie". What's the use of being offended by the facts of life - men do usually prefer women that look great to women that have brains. And this is basically the theme the movie explores in its own funny way, with quite an optimistic ending leaving enough hope for happiness for women with brains as well. But my favorite scene in the movie is one a the very beginning and not related to the main theme - when Cecile returns to her newly discovered sensational Amazon tribe and finds them already enjoying fruits of civilization. That is an absolutely brilliant scene, in my opinion, and it alone makes the movie worth watching.

Forget the rating, enjoy the film

[korinez · 9/10 · 27 August 2020]

I think it is one of the greatest chick flicks I've seen. The cast is absolutely great, Aure Atika is definitely a very talented comedian and other actors do a great job, too. The plot is Cinderella meets Sex and the city but with a few unexpected scenes and turns. The dialogues are witty. It is not boring and it can help you really look at your life from a new perspective since the characters are so imaginative and energetic. I tend to rewatch it every other year.

I have no idea why the rating is so bad. It is not as sexist as it is portrayed and the whole point of the film is that the character does what she does (I can't say what to avoid spoilers) to FIGHT sexism. It is very clear from the plot. And I don't see any other reasons other than the sexism problem that prevents it from having at least a 6 star rating. Anyway, I love it.