By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.6
Director: Jacques Martineau | Olivier Ducastel
Starring: Ariane Ascaride | Patachou | Pierre-Loup Rajot | Sami Bouajila
Original language title: Drôle de Félix
Country: france
Year: 2001
Running time: 95
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0228242
Laura says: “The French film THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX is a real charmer, sure to be a nominee for me for its star and supporting actress” 4 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/theadventuresoffelix.htm”
Kevin says: “This was a really charming film. Again, a great film from 2001 (after NICO AND DANI and COME
UNDONE) that features a homosexual main character in a very natural story. Félix hitchikes from Normandy to Marseilles in search of his father, who he’s never met, and has a series of adventures on the way. I was particularly taken by the segment entitled ‘grand-mère,’ featuring Patachou. She’s really excellent. So is Charly Sergue in the segment ‘mon petit frère.’ Anchored
by a great performance from Sami Bouajila. Suffers from its episodic nature, as well as some weak segments…but overall, charming and entertaining.” 3 1/2 cats
Michael says: “THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX is an episodic road film of a young man hitchhiking through France to meet his father for the very first time. As is often the case in this type of film, some of the stories were exquisitely told, and others fell flat for me. Lead actor Sami Bouajila as Felix was outstanding. He seemed so natural, as if he was playing himself. And while I didn’t like the character of Felix all the time, he certainly played a well-rounded person, rather than just a character.
“Scenes with Mathilde and Isabelle were my favorites. We missed some significance of the kite, I think. All-in-all, sweet and well made.” 3 cats
Nathaniel says: “From the moment it begins, with its jazzy music and Felix swaying around on his bike, it feels like a breezy ride…and that’s just what it turns out to be. It’s not deep or unforgettable, but its individual episodes are mostly quite enjoyable (Watch out for French cabaret legend Patachou in the film’s best segment.) The film as a whole is seemingly effortless in its ability to charm. As a special bonus it also features the most relaxed/affectionate depiction of a long-term gay relationship that I can recall seeing onscreen. Recommended.”
Robin says: “THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX does not reinvent the road movie, but it does provide a charismatic telling of a young man’s journey to find himself and, to his surprise, his discovery is dramatically different than he expected at the beginning. It helps that cinematographer Matthieu Poirot-Delpech’s crisp lensing compliments the story perfectly as Felix moves across the French countryside” 4 cats
“For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/theadventuresoffelix.htm”
Stephen says: “As a companion, Felix takes us on a wonderful voyage of discovery. We get to watch the French landscape blossom from early to later spring as he moves further south. We experience life with an HIV+ man who exudes health and appreciates the world even more intensely because of his infirmity. And we get to know people who might also be our cousins, and sisters and grandmothers and little brothers. THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX is not exactly a religious experience, but we are a little closer to some truths about our human condition after we have let it entertain us.”
For Stephen’s complete review: “http://baywindows.com/main.cfm?include=detail&storyid=83501”