Papa ou maman 2 (2016)
Directed by Martin Bourboulon

Film Review

In view of the fact that Papa ou maman was one of the biggest successes at the French box office in 2015 (attracting an audience of just under three million) it is hardly surprising that the following year should see the release of its sequel, particularly as the film had such an original premise: two separating parents fighting not to have custody of their children.  Papa ou maman 2 picks up where the first film ended, with the Leroys now happily divorced but still incapable of going their separate ways as they end up living a mirrored existence, inhabiting identical houses across the street from one another.  Whether the sequel can mirror the success of the original film remains to be seen.

With the same writing and directing team, Papa ou maman 2 can be relied upon to deliver the same slightly jaundiced view of family life, with Marina Foïs and Laurent Lafitte happy to reprise their roles as the loathing couple who just cannot bring themselves to break off their emotional attachments.  For the first thirty minutes or so writers Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière make a good stab at extending the comedy premise of the original film but have clearly overreached themselves by the midpoint, which is where the action abruptly switches location and whisks us off to an exotic setting (Reunion) in the hope of distracting us from the paucity of content in the film's second half.  It's a stratagem that has been employed too often in other films lately and needless to say it falls flat.

The writers' inspiration having now completely deserted them the best they can do is to trundle out a succession of tired old gags that could have been slotted into any second rate comedy.  With a plot so thin you can hardly see it and humour so strained it is more likely to provoke teeth-grinding than laughter, the film loses all of its appeal way before the end credits roll.  If the gags don't make you cringe the imbecilic contrivances and false 'happy' ending certainly will.  Lacking in original ideas and directed with no real flair, Papa ou maman 2 is only just sustained by the sparkling comedy rapport of its likeable lead actors, but it would take more than a dozen Marina Foïses and Laurent Lafittes to allow the franchise to continue.

Film Synopsis

After a messy separation, Vincent and Florence Leroy finally succeed in getting their divorce.  Now they can settle into their new lives with their new partners and make a fresh start - even if they happen to live across the street from one other.  Neither has any excuse for bitterness.  Vincent couldn't be happier with his new partner Bénédicte, and Florence has her perfect soul-mate in Edouard.  But somehow the old enmities still linger.  Vincent resents the fact that Edouard has far more disposable income than he does.  Florence becomes wildly jealous when Bénédicte reveals she is carrying Vincent's next child.  It doesn't help that the Leroys' three children are unable to accept their parents' separation and have made up their mind to bring them back together again...