Le voyage de Monsieur Perrichon: A bourgeois ego trip

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for classic French farce and don't mind the feeling that you’re watching a filmed stage play, then yes. It’s a breezy watch. But if you need fast pacing or modern editing, you might find this one a bit of a slog.

Honestly, the whole thing hinges on whether you find Monsieur Perrichon funny or just plain annoying. He’s the kind of guy who loves the sound of his own voice, and Léon Belières plays him with just the right amount of puffed-up chest. It’s a masterclass in being insufferable.

The mountain air does strange things

The plot is pure Labiche, meaning it’s all about people getting caught in their own lies. Watching the two suitors, Armand and Daniel, try to outdo each other for the daughter's affection feels like a chess match where both players are blindfolded.

There’s a specific scene involving a fake accident that I just couldn't stop thinking about. The way Perrichon leans into his own 'heroism' while being completely oblivious to how pathetic he looks? It’s almost painful. It reminds me a bit of the social maneuvering you see in The Masquerader, where the perception of a man is so much more important than the man himself.

• The scenery is lovely, even if it looks like a painted backdrop half the time.
• The dialogue has this rapid-fire, musical quality that is very 1930s.
• The mustache work on the male leads is frankly iconic.

Sometimes the movie lingers on a reaction shot way longer than it needs to. It’s almost like the director was afraid we’d miss the joke. I found myself wanting to nudge the characters along, like, 'We get it, he’s vain, let’s move on.'

The verdict?

It’s not trying to change your life. It’s just a funny little story about a man who loves his own legend a bit too much. It’s got that old-school charm that you don't really find in modern comedies. It’s certainly more grounded than the chaotic energy in Let's Go Places, but it shares that same DNA of people just trying to make a good impression.

Maybe don't watch it if you're in a hurry. But if you’ve got a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea? Sure. Why not. It’s good to see someone fail at being a hero quite so spectacularly. 🎩