J'ai une idée: A charming, dusty relic of French comedy

Is it worth your time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for 1930s French character comedy, this is absolutely for you. If you need explosions or even a single shot that lasts less than ten seconds, you will probably be bored out of your mind. J'ai une idée is a slow burn in the most literal, old-fashioned sense.

Raimu is, as always, the main reason to show up. He has this way of looking at a table or a doorway like they personally offended him. It’s glorious.

The vibe

The whole thing feels like it was filmed in three rooms. You can almost smell the velvet curtains and the slightly stale coffee of the set. There’s a specific kind of low-budget charm here that reminds me a bit of Son premier film—where you know they didn't have much to work with, so they just let the actors talk until it became funny.

There is a scene midway through where two characters are arguing about a plan that makes zero sense. The camera just stays put. It doesn't cut away. It just sits there, watching them get louder and more confused. It’s awkward, but in a way that feels intentional.

Odd little details

• The lighting in the second act is surprisingly moody for a comedy.
• I’m pretty sure one of the extras in the background of the cafe scene is just reading a newspaper for five minutes straight.
• The sound mixing is… well, let’s call it 'atmospheric.' You can hear the floorboards creaking.

It’s not perfect. Sometimes the plot just wanders off into the woods for a bit, like it forgot it had a point to make. It shares that same weird, drifting energy found in Money, where you’re just happy to be along for the ride even if the destination isn't clear.

Is it a masterpiece? Nah. But it’s got heart. And honestly, watching Raimu get frustrated is better than most of the big-budget stuff coming out today. ☕️