Those Happy Days
Directed by Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
- comedy
- family
The story
Set in 1992, a manager Vincent has to run a children's holiday camp for three weeks and to face the unexpected concerning the place, his colleagues, various problems linked to children about the rooms, trips, their belongings...
What it’s like
Bright, sunny summer colours and a loose, roving camera give this French comedy the easy feel of a holiday that keeps going wrong in small, funny ways. Much of it unfolds in the bustle of a children's camp: crowded dormitories, dusty grounds, buses and open countryside, with a lively, chattering soundtrack of kids and adults talking over one another. The mood is warm, scruffy and low-stakes, a comfortable choice for a lazy weekend afternoon or a light evening with friends. The pacing is brisk and episodic, built from mishaps and improvised fixes rather than any sustained tension. The emotional register stays affectionate and good-humoured, and its central figure, a harried young supervisor, grows steadily more tender toward the chaos around him. The violence is minimal and comic, with some rough language and bawdy humour but nothing graphic, and no real menace. It suits viewers who want a gentle, feel-good comedy about family, responsibility and friendship, and those looking for a bright, uncomplicated film to watch without much attention.
More films like Those Happy Days
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Those Happy Days and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
