Fleeing to a countrified life style is a common escape for city folk immersed in problems. Francis Bergeade (Michael Serrault) grabs an opportunity to do just that when a TV show designed to find missing persons displays a convincing photograph of him for all the world to see. He soon finds himself leading an idyllic life on a farm with a kind and understanding wife, not like the aggressive spoilt brat he left behind in the city.Much of the humour of this film centres around his friend Gerard (Eddy Mitchell) who is a great manipulator of events. It seems Gerard is enjoying the company of both wives even putting a smile on the face of the lazy wingeing one. There is some entertaining script writing here, both witty and believable.Life on the farm is well photographed and the daily routine well documented, even the preparation of the goose pate of which there is plenty. There remains however the underlying suspicion that the real husband that disappeared 23 years ago could turn up at any moment. A criminal offence would thus be exposed.An investigation of the details regarding the lost husband leads to some surprising discoveries.It's a pleasant little film that has you smiling all the way through. Ignorance is bliss, they say. The revelation at the end casts a black cloud over the happy atmosphere. When all is said and done however, some secrets are best left alone.

Cycles are, of course, a part of life and this film is a timely reminder that films themselves represent Escape from the humdrum world. It's reasonable to suppose that the Great Depression, followed closely by the Second World War saw the medium come into its own as people in breadlines always managed to scrape together a few cents to spend an hour or two with Fred and Ginger dancing away the soup kitchens outside in the real world or later Betty Grable made them forget for a while that not too far away people were being put in ovens. Lately film has been used to 'educate', 'politicize', almost anything in fact EXCEPT entertain so this film is a double joy celebrating as it does the ultimate escape from the pressures and stress of modern life. Few people of either sex have not at some point longed to quit the rat race, a nagging spouse, ungrateful children, unsympathetic banks etc, sometimes, as Michel Serrault here, all at once. But in the real world we more or less learn to live with day-to-day problems and make the best of them. Also in the real world it is highly unlikely that a businessman harassed by personnel problems and unhappy with his wife and daughter would be so easily to step into another ready-made family in an idyllic part of the country that provides all the money and love he needs. If you think like that then of course you won't enjoy what is both a charming and delightful movie acted to the hilt by the entire cast - some would protest mildly at the inclusion of Eric Cantona, indeed I myself would be one of them but on balance his role is peripheral at best and certainly not bad enough to detract from a hugely enjoyable film. The bad news is that the real world will still be there when you leave the cinema and/or switch off the DVD but then the real world was waiting for those Depression escapees and they made it through so if they could do it so can you. Highly recommended.

A gentle and relaxing film full of subtlety and humour throughout. The story may be universal but is the French take on life that permeates the film and makes it appealing. Well worth the rental fee for anyone who wants a rest from the brashness of Hollywood.

The plot of "Le Bonheur est dans le pre" is a simple one, but the excellent casting, the finesse of tone and dialogues, the constant humour give this movie real class.The ending is a happy one, but by no means what one usually calls a "happy ending" (these words imply for me a certain amount of 'schmalz' and stupidity, which lBedlP definitely doesn't have !). It makes the viewer feel refreshed and well, content with a few aspects of the world he's living in.It's a modern fairy tale, worth seeing again and again (especially when you feel a bit depressed, or slowed down), an apology of the simple (and free) pleasures of life.Some might remember the 'Safrane' as one of the highlights of the movie, I prefer the one remark made by Cantona: "C'est pas lourd le confit !"