My Summer in Provence (2014) User Reviews

High-emotion, light comedy

[rsonderegg · 8/10 · 25 October 2014]

OK, so I am a bit sentimental and get teared-up easily on nostalgia. But if you're willing to leave your cynic self behind and go along with the too-good-to-be-true sequences, you'll thoroughly enjoy this story of modern France mixed with beautiful, traditional Provence.

True, the teenager actors are a bit cartoonish, but not totally unbelievable. The "grandparents" are thoroughly enjoyable, both Jean Reno and Anna Galiena, if you are willing to overlook that she is probably too young and beautiful for her character.

If you would like an uncomplicated "comfort flick" after a stressful day or tiring week, this it the film for you or for the whole family. There's something to like for everyone.

a summer in provence a beautiful trip to south of France

[playtoyer · 8/10 · 21 April 2014]

a summer in provence is a beautiful trip to south of France provence is a beautiful región.A región of olive oil,wild horses,bulls fight and a strong local culture.And of course great weather.This family reunión willmake you laugh and cry.A family with it,s problems and it,s joys,the Young generation reunite with the old generation a desconnected family reunite again during a summer vacation it,s a mix between a comedy and a drama.Its, a great story the movie has a great soundtrack with greatsongs.The movie has a great cast all the children are great the chimistry between them is great and jean reno is excellent in this movie.It,s for jean reno a award winning performance he can play any role in any movie jean reno is always great.This movie will make feel happy and have a great time.It,s a great European movie

Great ligh-hearted movie!

[suripat · 8/10 · 21 June 2020]

Great views of life and people in a small city in Southern France and the simple life Paul (Reno) lives when it's changed with the arrival of his grandsons. Good-vibes movie. Just ignore the critics and reviews and watch it. You'll be glad you did.

Only one for Reno lovers

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 17 October 2014]

"Avis de mistral" or "My summer in Provence" was written and directed by Rose Bosch, who, if at all, you may know from writing Ridley Scott's "1492: Conquest of Paradise". The start is fairly general. Two teenagers, spoiled with the newest technical achievements from their life in the city, have to go to the countryside to spent the summer with their grandma and grumpy grandpa as their mother needs some time for herself.

This film had a handful flaws. Sometimes it was cheesy, sometimes even cringeworthy. The acting was not always that good (the kids, especially the teenage boy), but it has one huge strength: Jean Reno. Even he is certainly not the most talented actor, but, in his mid60s now, he still has so much charisma to make this film work. Obviously, it is all built around him: the crying scene when his dead brother is mentioned, the drinking, the fact that the kid he beats up turns out to be a drug dealer, the unrealistically easy communication with the deaf-mute boy, the fact that the boy's mom actually did not want any more contact with her father and there are many more scenes that prove he is the heart and should of this film, maybe actually more than there should be. The start of the film was nice how the kid does not hear the constant arguing going on in the train, but other than that there is really no significance to him not being able to hear or speak.

The writing really lacked on several occasions (apart from that prize Reno's character wins at the end and how he loves it, his quirks - funny to watch and an interesting lesson on simple priorities), but Reno (and to a lesser extent the actress who played his character's wife), the music ("Sound of Silence" and the instrumental parts) and the landscapes keep this from being a failure. In the end, my recommendation if you should watch this one or stay away, all depends on how much you like Jean Reno. My favorite scene was probably him meeting all his rocker colleagues from the old days.

Nice Feelgood Movie

[Breumaster · 7/10 · 30 June 2020]

This is a wonderful story about a divided family, which re-unites. While the mother of three siblings in france has to care for a new job, she sends her kids to her father, which she said good bye a long time ago. So they travel to the Provence, where their grandfather lives. The siblings and their grandfather can't bear each other at the beginning, but grandma gives her best to calm the situation.

The movie is a real heart warming family movie that feels real. It shows the joys of life in rural areas of the Provence. It shows that there are other things beside Facebook, Instagramm, and so on, which can make pretty much fun.

So why only 7/10? I've seen many of similar movies that create as much fun as this one. I would recommend it for anyone who likes family stories. :D

In the mood for ...

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 11 June 2016]

Country? Or at least a more relaxed and "silent" couple of weeks. It's the fish out of water on a dinosaur thing. Reno being the dinosaur in that case. It's really refreshing and funny to watch how this situation plays out. There is not really need to go further into the story other than to say, that both worlds collide in this and it is played out as straight as possible.

Which makes this kind of funnier. Reno who has been stated that he is fed up playing the silent one, has some scenes where he gets to explore the explosive side of his character. The movie is also helped by a lot of side characters (one who sells ice cream and might leave a strange note for some, but just adds to the movie trying to explore different grounds and things).

Beautiful movie

[a-78738 · 9/10 · 3 May 2020]

"Summer in provence" is half landscape, half restoration of the city by the countryside, and the clear light from the mountains illuminates the dark parts of city life. Apart from the beautiful scenery, the film subtly expresses the different life styles, ways of thinking and philosophies of life. Let the countryside, especially the idealized countryside like provence, exist in a simple, beautiful and highly human way. Comfortable and smooth, small and delicate, less than the cure of the film a few blood, also than the pure European ethics film a lot less cold. From beginning to end is a breath of even long breath, relaxed, happy, wandering.

Classic sweet French comedy with half an ounce of drama

[voyou-703-655350 · 5/10 · 3 September 2014]

If, like me, you appreciate Jean Reno, then you'll certainly get some pleasure from watching Avis de Mistral. The man is as good as ever, playing a confused and at times grumpy grandfather with emotion and subtlety. If you're not familiar with her, you'll discover the equally superb Anna Galiena, who also has a beautiful filmography that I strongly recommend.

The teenagers' act doesn't feel natural much, specially the older brother's, but that won't hurt your ears if you're not a French speaker. The mute little brother is quite adorable. The old singer Hugues Aufrey has a small part, but should have stuck to singing in French.

Story-wise, it's an archetypal French comedy. Nothing great, nothing terrible, despite some events not making any sense. The kids are Parisians unwillingly spending time in the sunny countryside, which is a perfect source of clichés. The village in Provence and its inhabitants get the postcard treatment, complete with beautiful scenes of traditional non-violent tauromachy, horse-riding in the swamps of Camargue, and Gypsy street performances.

Recommended as a brochure for a holiday's destination. For all ages.

Beautiful summer, moving story

[kiradykesky · 9/10 · 28 April 2020]

Videos about summer are always fascinating, with beautiful natural scenery, icy and sweet vegetables and fruits, and bustling city gatherings. The director cleverly implanted a three-segment story of grand and grand love in the Provence Tourism Promo. Seeing half involuntarily sighed, the French commercials can put on the "design with the sexy" operation. The natural and light family intergenerational light comedy and Provence scenery tourism video, although they may seem to fall into the routine in the second half, but after being covered with details of life and humor, they still look very comfortable, and the timely arrival is also very smart. The picture is really moving.

Really bad

[smithellie1966 · 3/10 · 7 September 2014]

I am giving it 3 only for the beautiful summer scenes of the south France. And maybe for the cute little actor who did not say a word, but won my heart. Everything else, including performances are really awful. Even Jean Reno, the French star, was bad in this movie. Teen actors were seriously overdoing it. This movie is loaded with stereotypes and unbelievable characters; the "reunion" part was especially awful, pretentious and clichéd. Unsuccessful attempt to bridge the generation gap. I have nothing else to say about this movie to meet 10 lines requirement, therefore I will say that I feel cheated, since I got used to really liking French cinematography.

Liked it in the beginning...

[thebadgeresss · 3/10 · 15 July 2019]

Beautiful scenery, a very lovable Jean Reno, quite authentic acting of the others, some dysfunctional family thingies...but in the end it's just another boring "buhuu drugs are bad - movie"