I watched Mr. Bean’s Holiday last night, and yes, it was good. It’s the freshest thing I’ve seen this year (Pan’s Labyrinth was last year’s movie, so not counted).
To those who have been living in a well for the last 15 years or so, here’s a fast recap of who or what Mr. Bean is. Rowan Atkinson plays Mr. Bean in a TV comedy, where Mr. Bean is thrown in a couple of situations and tries to overcome his problems with many creative and humorous ways. Then came his movie debut a decade ago, in Bean, the movie. While Bean, the movie wasn’t completely too bad, I felt it was a mere rehash of TV comedies, complete with reuse of material, only that the story was longer and bigger. Then came Mr. Bean’s Holiday. It’s new and fresh.
I guess one way to describe this movie would be, it’s the same old Mr. Bean, but also a very fresh and different Mr. Bean from the TV series.
The Plot
The story starts simply without much elaboration, with Mr. Bean winning a church raffle, for a trip to the French Riviera, a.k.a Cannes. He also won himself a digital camcorder (product placement by Sony), which plays quite a role in the movie. And so he is off to France (also without much elaboration of the journey). In Paris, the fun starts. The old Bean is visible here, like a fish out of water in almost every situation. See him find his way to the train station. See him do funny things in Paris. Then, there was the train trip, where he caused a Romanian man (a judge at the Cannes film festival) to miss his train. Then he meets the man’s son, Stephan, who had a prompt dislike for Mr. Bean - he actually slapped Mr. Bean when Bean did his trademark paper-in-eye-and-tongue routine. Then somehow, both Bean and Stephan got out of the train, and hence began their arduous journey south, to Cannes. Typical Mr. Bean behavior is prevalent here. Along the way too, he met Sabine (who drives a Mini Cooper of the same color as Mr. Bean), and so on and so forth, to the culmination in which Mr. Bean premiered his video diary in the Cannes Film Festival.
Impressions
There are lots of laughs in the movie, whether by Mr. Bean’s antics, or just plain stupid stuff that happen. I went into the cinema with the impression that this movie will be something like the first movie - a rehash of all his familiar antics, but it is not. There were a few language jokes and word play (ooh, British word play humor rocks, too bad not many M’sians appreciate it) too, in the movie. Besides the typical slapstick humor Mr. Bean offers, this movie is different in the sense that it too, parodies and makes fun of movie makers. I laughed especially hard when Carson Clay’s movie was premiered in Cannes. (Carson Clay presents, a Carson Clay Movie. Starring Carson Clay, in a Carson Clay Production, Directed by Carson Clay)
This movie is different, and bold. In an age where fears of pedophilia reigns, Mr. Bean breaks social taboo. In the street miming scene, his antics had caused some early critics. Some accused him of “looking like a sex offender”. C’mon.. it’s just acting. Most superb too, if I may add, especially his miming of Puccini’s Opera. That said, I don’t think Rowan Atkinson played himself to the fullest when playing the Nazi soldier. That social taboo has a heavier consequence than the one with the child, I suppose.
Also the movie’s styling is different from the first movie or from the TV series. Says Atkinson,
What’s interesting is the way these two [films] merge and overlap and intertwine and so there is this sense in which the nature of movies and movie-making is at the centre of our story. (emphasis added by me)
I have to agree with the statement above. As I said… this movie is not your typical Mr. Bean. It’s more than Mr. Bean. Especially the part in Cannes, where it just hits all those indie moviemakers that try to make their movies artsy-fartsy.
Many People Didn’t Like It
I get it why many people didn’t like it. In the full-house cinema I went, I lauged at a handful of jokes that other people didn’t laugh at - such as when the waitress commented Mr. Bean speaking excellent French, and he replied “Gracias” (Spanish for thank you)
Or when the boy spoke Russian while Sabine spoke French. I don’t think the audience realized it was two different languages.
Many people expected it to be the same dumb movie that stars the same dumb Mr. Bean, but it’s not. This Mr. Bean has a sense of sophistication while staying dumb at the same time. I like it. It’s different from the whole load of comedies Hollywood has been feeding us lately.
I give this Bean movie a 8.5/10. Go watch it. Then tell me about what you think of it.
Speaking of Bean… this movie is a great show to watch at home on my bean bag chair. Some people find that beanbag chairs make an interesting addition to their decor. I suggest you get yourself a beanbag chair.. It’s comfy, so why not?
Cool?
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YES! I agree with whatever you have said! it’s just simply refreshing and brilliant! you can read on my take at http://www.mossism.net/wp/index.php/archives/993
and now i get the last joke… the conversation in the car… Romanian and French!! No wonder!!!!!!!
Reading your post, I realized I forgot to put in some complaints. My only complaints was that idiot to my left in the cinema who let his phone continue ringing. He should get kicked out.
guess you weren’t in the best of crowd… tough luck!
BLACKADDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heeheeheehee! Btw, you watched 300 yet?
You could say that Malaysian aren’t that sophisticated yet. Or rather… a bit of the “kayak bawah tempurung” type since they aren’t familiar with the way the movie is potrayed.
Mossie: Yeah
Aoshi: I guess you failed to read my MSN nick the other day. I watched 300 already. So-so movie. As for Blackadder, yep… I liked the series extremely.
Yeap you are right. Not many ppl laugh at the Gracias part. It’s some part of a running gag and sadly no one gets it. Well at least in the fullhouse cinema I am in the people understands the Carson Clay joke
But then again ppl can not know such wordplay and still enjoy the movie cos’ Bean appeals to such a mass audience that even Malaysians love it haha…
And yeah, British word play rocks. IMHO British comedies make their American counterpart look stupid.
Eh, eh I haven’t watch yet. Ketinggalan.
*grabs wallet and heads to the cinema*
Tried to catch it at TGV and GSC at 1-Utama. No luck. Went to Orchard Cineleisure. No luck either. This movie is even bigger than ‘300′ was when it first came out.
You guys know during the regular Mr.Bean show where there’s this (ZOMG!)light from the sky where he droppped down flat to the floor with church hyms as background music?
I just knew where that came from. Brilliant. Mr. Bean is simply brilliant.
Justin: Yep. Brit humor for the win (though I spell in American)
Deeart: Go watch it now
Swifty: You can always catch it in quiet ol PD
UW: I take it you’ve just watched the animated series? The last episode?
I didn’t laugh, not a bit, throughout the whole show. what does that make me? o.0;
its a fun movie if you go in with an open mind and let go of the ’sillyness’
the whole camcoder style used in the movie is cool
[...] Yo peeps, how’s your Monday? Now, now, cheer up because its Tuesday. Although Tuesday is also another back to work day, but it is nearer to Wednesday right? Hehe, I might go and catch a movie one Wednesday because it will be half price day. And for those that have been undecided whether or not to watch Mr. Bean’s Holiday, I think you should! Perhaps a little review will convince you. Head over to Chewxy’s blog for the A Fresh Bean (A review of Mr. Bean’s Holiday). I might or might no do a review on the movie. So, we will see about that later. [...]
Excuse, and what you think concerning forthcoming elections?
Prease,edit your post,besause the boy (Stephen,I guess) speaks russian,not romanian. I’m sure about that because I speak russian myself and have heard romanian speaks.
Ps: I share the same feelings, the movie is genuinely fresh and funny. Especially Carson Clay joke.
Tanya: Thank you. It’s edited
[...] Brilliant Talent - Thia Megia Today we mourn the death of Luciano Pavarotti (well, not me, but most of his fans); but instead, I’ve found someone more interesting. That would be 12-year-old Thia Megia. It happened when Tou and I were discussing Pavarotti and Puccini’s opera. And so I decided to show him some of Pucinni’s work (specifically the ultra popular O’mio Babbino Caro - which was also used in Mr. Bean’s Vacation), and I stumbled upon her singing. Wow. I risk sounding like a pedo, but heck, I like her! She’s a bit self-indulgent, but hey, she deserves to be. [...]
Yeah, the best part is when Carson Clay presents his picture, actually, it is his picture!
cool!…nothing..nothing…haha! That was great!…I would like to have this piece of film in my movil