Fanfan (2003) User Reviews

Great start but failed on the later half

[bugsmith · 6/10 · 29 March 2006]

I would like to inform first that I didn't see the original movie so I cannot compare this one to it. The movie starts out very good. It's very funny. The characters, especially Fan Fan and Adeline, are well chosen. Lightings and Colors are above average. Scenery is at least par. There are something to make me laugh or at least smile in every few minutes. The points of all the jokes are easily taken, even though I have to read subtitles all the time.

The second half of the film, however begin to go down. Romance, though is expected to be as it is, lacks built-up. When the movie needs to get serious on adventures (or at least in director's opinion), it could not deliver thrills it needs to deliver. With the comedy element's gone and no satisfying actions/adventures/thrills/etc, the second half could be considered a failure.

In short, this movie is a little bit beyond average. I enjoyed watching it. It doesn't have solid story, or throughout-the-movie comedy. However, it is the one nobody would regret seeing (unless you are critics).

An evaded young with a promised career and deep dreams joins Louis XV army and after many heroics, it all comes true

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 5 August 2018]

Set during Seven years war , an European war between France : king Louis XV and Austria : Maria Teresa and intervention of various countries as England and Prussia . A peasant and swordsman called Fanfan: Vincent Perez escapes un unwanted marriage by joining the army of Louis XV,Regiment D'Aquitaine . Later on , he meets Adelina who is a fortune teller who speaks him about his important future . After being promised by Adelina Franchise , Penelope Cruz , she promised him a glorious career in the French army , an illustrious future and a royal marriage to king's daughter . And Fanfan attempts to make the promised faith of his true . As Fanfan refuses to forget his dream and decides to fullfill his destiny of the fake prediction.

This stirring flick packs thrills , emotion , fencing , swashbuckling with bounds , leaps and jumping through windows . An amusing and funny satire of swashbucklers and historical love story movies, including a light criticism of the aristocracy , war , the mighty and the military . The picture relies heavily on the continuous pursuists , chases , swordplay and excessive and non much-sense fast-movement . It contains an evocative and appropriate musical score by Alexandre Azaria as well as a colorful cinematograhy by Gerard Simon .Lavishly produced by the prestigious Luc Besson and his production company called Eurocorp .The motion picture was professional but regularly directed by Gerard Krawczyk .He is an artisan who has made a few and usually successful films such as Taxi 2, 3, 4 , Wasabi , The red inn, Heroines and I hate actors .

This one results to be a remake of the classic French 1955 film and made in its particular style, including fantastic adventures , adequate 18th setting with impressive castles and breathtaking battles , adding a cast of thousands of extras . Handsome and good-looking Vincent Perez delivers a likeable performance as the brave swordsman who becomes involved into twisted intrigues located both , military headquaters and royal court . Penelope Cruz gives a sympathetic interpretation as Adeline Franchise who tells Fanfan's fate , as she predicted he will get fame , fortune and glory ; as he will eventually marry one of the king's daughters .Support cast is pretty well such as : Didier Bourdon , Michael Muller and Helene Fougerolles as Madame Pompadour ,Louis XV's lover .

Other fims based on this story with writings from Rene Fallet and Rene Weeler are the followings : Silent vintage movie 1925 by Rene Lerance ; and the classic 1955 by Christian Jaque by Gerard Philipe, Genenieve Page and Gina Lollobrigida

No work of art, not a total disaster...

[karmabuona · 5/10 · 5 September 2005]

If you don't go in expecting too much, this film is a pleasant way to pass some time. It is certainly no great work of art. Didn't see the original so can't comment on that score. Furthermore, don't really speak French (although enough to understand that Italian subtitled version missed large chunks of dialect), so Cruz's reportedly bad accent was lost on me. It is undoubtedly clichéd, lacking in any original ideas or concepts, and has gaping plot holes.

However, that said, it has no pretensions of being anything more sophisticated than what it sets out to be. My advice would be to enjoy it for what it's meant to be: fun, swashbuckling, mildly amusing entertainment with two luscious-looking stars. In fact, just watching Perez and Cruz alone make the whole thing worthwhile.

Not Bad Not Great

[pizaro · 15 May 2003]

Well well well, first impression: the room was quite empty for an opening day! That does not sound great for the Box Office...

And the movie: Let's say it's entertaining. For Sure. But that's all! Vincent Perez (Fanfan) is too annoying playing the naive guy. Penelope Cruz.. annoying speaking french with such an accent "Fangfang" Hopefully the supporting actors are great! Didier Bourdon is a Wonderfull Roi Soleil... and the actor who plays "de la Goule" is WON-DER-FULL!!

So in fact: let's say: 1* on 4 If you have 8 euros in your pocket for nothing..otherwise..wait to see it on TV.

Acceptable remake

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 18 August 2013]

This 2003 remake of a popular 1952 French film follows the original's plot quite closely, except that it adds one more villain (a black-clad traitor) for Fanfan to battle at the end, while the role of the army colonel who is also trying to win Adeline's heart is reduced (a change that works pretty well, in my opinion). It also both more satirical and more modernized that the original movie (the fight scenes are more intense, and even include some distinctly post-Matrix-era flips in the air). A handsome production, beautifully photographed with warm colors, this remake is about on a par with the original. Vincent Perez and Penelope Cruz are worthy successors of Gerard Phillipe and Gina Lollobrigida. **1/2 out of 4.

the talented Mr PEREZ

[sebastien-bernard26 · 7/10 · 25 May 2003]

Behind this film we see the French Touch of Luc Besson, the producer. It is not a great film, but you'll spend a good time. Penelope Cruz is beautiful as usual and Vincent Perez is wonderful. He is climbing up the stairs, and this film will help him over the seas. FANFAN is one of these new french films, like LEON, THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLVES,THE FIFTH ELEMENT. It is like an Hollywood film with an Hollywood star (Penelope Cruz, Mark Dacascos, Bruce Willis), It is pleasant like an Hollywood movie, and you are not more cleaver after seeing these. So it shows that Hollywood is not the only place to makes movies (very good or very bad) in the world, and that directors are not obliged to show many times american banner in their movies and, of course, that heroes sometimes live anywhere but between NY and LA.

what a waste of time

[Spirit-10 · 1/10 · 23 August 2003]

today unfortunately i went to see this film. of course, it was a huge disappointment for me. everything was so ridiculous and nothing was funny. vincent perez was ok but we've seen much better of him in other films. penelope cruz shows once again that her talent of acting is limited. i also think there was something wrong with the screenplay because the movie can't connect with the audience.

Worse remake ever!!!

[vikashevchik · 1/10 · 25 October 2003]

If the original movie is one of my most favorite classic romantic comedies, then this "creation" is awfully, disgustingly bad... How could they do such thing? Especially fights and speeches, absolutely unnatural. They should probably add some "a la Matrix" jumps to complete the whole disaster.

Flan – Flan (dvd)

[leplatypus · 1/10 · 3 March 2006]

I can't say that this movie is a failure but it didn't catch me.

Yet, everything was set for a great moment:

• exceptional cast with special mentions for mr Bourdon (a very naive King of France) and ms Cruz, whose dedication is unique (speak french phonetically, not right but in a funny way). - superb live locations in real old-times towns - excellent wardrobe for a historical movie in Old Regime - a director offering energy & rhythm in his works

But, the result is soporific.

Maybe because it's a remake and there never the same creative impulse as in an original work (you already know where you come from & where you aim) ? Hardly, the first movie is dated from the 50's and not much in the new generation can make a comparison.

the deepest setback comes truly from the script: there's no passion in the story or the dialogs, so the pictures can be perfect but they are void of humanity... Wanting things to be too polished can bring to lose the shining.. Here's a example....

great swashbuckler

[mhaverly · 9/10 · 26 March 2004]

This new version of a favorite classic was a great swashbuckler - lots of romance, lots of adventure and excitement galore. Vincent Perez was handsome and energetic... a perfect romantic hero. Penelope Cruz was beautiful and feisty - a perfect romantic heroine. The crowd in the cinema was especially enthusiastic when we went -some viewers we know went to see it several times. The period costumes were wonderful, and certainly the equal of earlier versions. The photography was also well done - the French countryside has never looked so wonderful! Knowledge of French is definitely helpful, as the jokes might be lost on those who don't truly understand the language.

Loved it so much I bought it!

Do you have plenty of time?

[SameirAli · 5/10 · 25 September 2021]

Fanfan is a comedy Romance drama. There is nothing special about this movie. Being released in 2003, it's a below average movie. You can watch it just to kill time, if you have plenty.

Waste of money and time

[renata_st · 24 January 2004]

I went to this movie only because I am crazy about France, it's kings and queens. I adore baroque costumes and decorations. But this film was a great disappointment. Dialogues were not funny and lively. Costumes were miserable. Acting was awful. The plot was silly. The action was totally not convincing. Fanfan (the main character) was too arrogant and energetic. Solders and officers were too stupid. The king was too generous. I wanted to leave the cinema long before the end. I try very hard, but I can't remember anything good about this movie. Sorry...

wanna see Penelope Cruz getting wasted watch this

[FilmMan47 · 1/10 · 12 November 2012]

thats right i am one of Penelope Cruz fan & most of the films I've seen of her only few of then are watchable in her entire career.

fanfan la tulipe is another example that if your a big star you need to see what script you choose because that can ruin your career but Penelope Cruz case is different because she is sexy & vulgar every time & you know sex sells so her career is going.

the storyline was something else but everything just changed here the guy joins the army of a king & then rest of the plot goes into trash can.

this film just waste time there is no entertainment or even sex scenes that could hold you to see this film because of Penelope but no.

my rating is 1/10 fanfan la tulipe is another crap film by miss Penelope Cruz.

i really don't know why i didn't like it 15 years back

[vasilisa-lohankina · 10/10 · 12 January 2020]

I could lay my hands on both old and new one today. And you know what? I really don't know why I didn't like it back then. It's a good remake, accurate enough, modern enough (and not too modern), preserves humorous anti-war spirit of 1952. I remember, in 2003 I thought Vincent Perez was to old for the role. Today I'm older than Vincent Perez from 2003, and I think he's, actually, quite good. Time works miracles. So it's 10 out of 10 to make up for the injustice

So-so...

[isambard · 16 May 2003]

I have not seen the original of this film, but this version was O.K., purely regarding its entertainment value (intellectual stimulation aside). Perez is charming as Fanfan although Cruz's rather strong Spanish accent annoys me. All in all, not a bad attempt although I must not admit to understanding everything , as I saw it in French and history is not my forte...

A masterpiece of historical comic film

[bcnkor · 10/10 · 31 January 2022]

With a perfect performance by the actors Vincent Perez and Didier Bourdon where they do their best performance of their career. The script is very good and with a wonderful setting in French history. In addition, the touch of comedy is very well done.

Boring!!!!!

[BernMaya · 15 June 2004]

I lived in France, speak French fluently and have a great appreciation for French humour. This movie sucked big time and was a great disappointment for me. My sister and I watched 45 minutes of it and walked out because we were both extremely bored. We managed to stay that long because we kept waiting for each other to say something first. The script is very poorly written and Fanfan is really annoying. I could not take another minute of Le Marquis screaming "Oh la nuque!". This is the first time I have ever walked out of the theater in the middle of a movie. This is how bad this movie was. Cruz must have been going through financial trouble for accepting the role. If you though that Le fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain deserved an A+ (which I did), this one deserved an F-.

100% positive

[mike_greta · 19 June 2004]

My wife and I watched this movie while on holiday in France last summer. A great deal of the action had been shot on location in Montpazier, one of the prettiest villages in France with carefully preserved houses etc. As a 'thank you' there was an open-air showing of the film in the village square while we were there in June 2003. As it didn't get dark enough until about 22.30 there was time for a drink (or two) beforehand and we all sat in the square, under the stars. The film was a laugh from beginning to end.The most outrageous stunts and swordplay to make Errol Flynn look like an amateur. A special treat, of course, was to see images of the very buildings around us, the church, the market hall, and quite a few of the locals who appeared as extras, pop up on the screen. The whole film was tongue-in-cheek, swashbuckling, D'Artagnan type nonsense. Fencing on rooftops, jumping out of windows, kissing the girls, fighting ten men at once. What more do you want?

I'll admit we saw it in ideal circumstances, which bring back happy memories of a glorious summer. But it was entertaining and made for fun. Would I watch it again? Sure! (Especially with a glass of wine!) Michael.