Is The Fenouillard Family Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1961)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Fenouillard Family (1961), audiences are invited back into the world of Comedy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The Fenouillards (Sophie Desmarets and Jean Richard are the parents, Annie Sinigalia and Marie-José Ruíz are the daughters) are shopkeepers with higher aspirations. The Monsieur wants to run for mayor of their town, but the family acknowledges he has little experience of the real world -- and so they all take off to experience it together. After starting out by getting lost, the family goes through an odyssey that takes them to Brazil, the Antarctic, and Japan in a series of episodic adventures."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Jean Richard does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Fenouillard Family worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Fenouillard Family is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 78 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.