Les Gens en maillot de bain ne sont pas (forcément) superficiels (2001)

Les Gens en maillot de bain ne sont pas (forcément) superficiels is a French comedy romance film first released in 2001, directed by Eric Assous.  The film stars Isabelle Gélinas, Agnès Soral, Gad Elmaleh, Serge Hazanavicius and Véronique Boulanger.  It has also been released under the title: People in Swimsuits Aren’t (Necessarily) Shallow.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


When she finds out that her lover Philippe is planning to spend his holiday with his wife and children in the Antilles, Camille is furious.  She books a flight for the same destination and sets out to wreck Philippe’s holiday – and his marriage.  At the same location, a lesbian couple Pauline and Anita find their relationship tested to breaking point when Pauline meets up with an old flame and Anita develops a skin infection.  An impoverished young Arab, Aziz (who was given the holiday tickets as a present from his generous employer) tries to keep his hypoactive younger brother in check – with limited success.  Meanwhile, Carla is just out to have a good time whilst Laurette, hoping to find the man of her dreams, finds herself falling for the charms of the holiday camp organiser, Jimmy...

Having earned a reputation as a scriptwriter (with numerous contributions for radio, television, theatre and the cinema), Eric Assous made his directorial debut with this sunny romantic comedy.  There are echoes of an earlier French comedy classic, Les Bronzés (1978) – the setting is similar, as are many of the characters and some of he jokes.   Whereas that previous film about sun, sea and sex was more consciously satirical in its approach, Assous’ film is more realistic – closer in style to Eric Rohmer’s Pauline à la plage.

This is an enjoyable little film which offers some poignant reflections on life and many situations most audiences should be able to relate to.  It features a talented young cast of actors, many of whom we can expect to see a great deal more of in futures years.  Assous’ writing skills are evident in a script which sparkles with wit, imagination and insight.  The film’s subject matter and its large array of characters prevents it from becoming too deep and introspective, which is just as well since its main raison d’être is to entertain.

© James Travers 2003

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