My Father Was Right: A Petty Little French Comedy

Should you bother?

If you have a low tolerance for characters who talk for five minutes straight without taking a breath, stay far away. But if you dig cynical, old-school French stuff where the humor is tucked away in the way someone raises an eyebrow? Yeah, give it a shot.

It’s not exactly a warm hug of a movie. It’s more like a lecture from that one uncle who thinks he knows exactly why you’re still single.

The Setup

Charles Bellanger is a piece of work. After his wife leaves him, he basically makes it his life's mission to ensure his kid, François, never trusts a woman again. It’s a petty, hilarious, and kind of sad way to parent.

The whole movie hinges on whether this 'education' actually sticks. You know it’s going to fall apart, but watching *how* it happens is the fun part.

Notes from the couch

• Guitry talks so fast I think he’s trying to win a bet.
• The house decor is honestly distracting; who has that many lamps?
• There is a moment where the son stares at a portrait, and the silence is deafening. It felt like the movie forgot it was a comedy for about ten seconds.
• The way they frame the women as these inevitable traps—it’s gross, but the movie knows it’s gross.

It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in The Little Giant, though with way less slapstick and way more velvet suits.

The Verdict

It’s not a masterpiece. It feels like a stage play that someone accidentally filmed, which makes sense given who made it. Some scenes just drag on because the dialogue gets too clever for its own good.

I found myself zoning out during the long dinner scene, but then someone would say something so biting and mean that I’d snap right back. Classic Guitry.

It’s mean-spirited but in a way that feels honest. Don't go in expecting a romantic comedy. Go in expecting to watch a guy try to outsmart his own biology and fail miserably. 🍷