Rating: 
Summary: (Good But It's Still 3.5) Delightful But Too Light-Weight
Review: [Audrey Tautou fans, read this first.] If you are a fan of the star of "Amelie" like me, and want to see this film because of her, please remember this. Ms. Tautou was cast in this film before the international hit of "Amelie," so her role here is a comparatively small one. And her character as the girl-friend of the protagonist does NOT live in the apartment, and that means she stayys onut of the screen for a long time. Roman Duris stars in this lightweight comedy-drama as Zavier, 25 year-old French student, who decides to study abroad (in Spain) simply because he wants secure a good job. In the title apartment in Barcelona, however, he learns something much more important during the eventful one year in absolute freedom. That is a rough sketch of the story, and this apartment plays the role of so-called "melting pot" of European people. (Incidentally, its UK title is "Potluck.") In this not-so-clean but still magical place, you see students from France, UK, Germany. Denmark, Italy, and Belgium. These colorful nationalities of EU represent the unbrindled energy of the youth, and if you have spent young days as they do, in a foreign land with friends, you wil easily relate to the agnst of Zavier, the portrait of average young boy. Director Cedric Klapisch repeats his light touch found in "When the Cat's Away," and the script was written in 12 day. The film itself was shot in only 4 months ... well, so he says. The film, as a consequence, shows little surprise -- there is a love-triangle which is too predictable, just another case of uninterested husband and unhappy wife, which is tradtional since the days of Madame Bovery. And the silly hubby is a doctor again. The characters lack the depth -- only the students from Britain show some -- and the commentary on the cultural difference doesn't bite. But the film (shot in digital camera) captures the truth of youth, and the care-free community depicted here has an undeniable charm that would be most appealing to the young people, with its frank descriptions of being really young. I admit that I feel envious of the people and the place, even though I know (and the film knows) that it will not last forever.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful film
Review: this is a heartfelt, though sometimes odd, film about young-20s strangers from several european countries living together in an apartment in spain. the film is funny and poignant, yet seems to be somewhat of a metaphor for the developing European Union. I highly recommend this film to anyone, french speakers or not.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie is a refreshing blend...
Review: This movie is a refreshing blend of the serious and not-so serious - which some previous reviewers seem to miss (they are alternately taking the not-so-serious too seriously and vice versa). The previous reviewer "monsieurms" has made the assertion that the "hero, at the end, for some reason abandons his life's dreams." That is ridiculous - for that is exactly the opposite of the truth. His life dream was to be a writer - but as he grew older he fell into the trap of doing what is "realistic" (in his case - a "real" job in economics). After the character experienced a year in Barcelona, learning many lessons along the way, he RETURNED to his life dream of wanting to be a writer. He didn't abandon it! I'm not sure how anyone could watch the film and miss that point... The reviewer goes on to question the lead character's morals. But the point is, he was young - he made mistakes and learned. Just because the filmmaker didn't beat us over the head with moralisms does not mean the character's "despicable" behavior was considered acceptable. My advice to "monsieurms" is to try to think from the CHARACTER'S perspective - not your own. And learn to see the more subtle elements in a film. Otherwise, you might as well stick to action/adventure films like "Raiders of the the Lost Ark" or "Star Wars."
Rating:
Summary: So-so, but with a few surprises
Review: If you're looking for a mildly entertaining film with pretty people and exotic locales, L'Auberge Espagnole is the flick for you. If you're looking for something thought-provoking on living abroad or the nature of national identity, you're better off reading Alex Garland's "The Beach" or "The Tesseract." Embedded in the general mediocrity of the script and acting of this film, however, are two excellent performances: Judith Godreche as a repressed housewife and Kevin Bishop as an annoying Brit. Although neither character is particularly likeable, these two actors go way beyond the script to bring these people to life, and their talent, especially Godreche's (and her awe-inspiring physique!) will stay with you long after the rest of this forgettable trifle has faded away.
Rating:
Summary: I'm addicted to this film
Review: L'Auberge Espagnole is a story of life, not of shoot them up kill the bad guy type at all. I love this film, its about life, love and friendship, and taking off or not; doing what you really want to do, not what society dictates, love life, and absorb the experiences of every one you meet and experience into your own personality. I've watched this film about 20 times so far and I still catch something new. Romain Duris -Xavier-(Le Divorce) does a great job as the student from France finding out who he is in life. The rest of the international exchange students (the program is called Erasmus) add so much to the film, you will find yourself wanting to see it again and again. Life in Europe, the fun, culture and music lets you enjoy the experience as it you are there. (I even bought the sound track) Cristina Brondo (the Spanish student from Tarragona) is absolutely beautiful in this as she adds the sanity to the group. Audrey Tautou -Martine- plays Xavier's frustrated girlfriend in France, that seems to nag Xavier back to the past, but Xavier works that out (see the film). Kevin Bishop -William- Plays the obnoxious brother of Wendy, from the UK, and his attitude really pisses off the group as he stays visiting with his sister for a bit. His explanation of the fly's mating ritual is really funny, and by his sacrificing himself for his sister gets him the respect of the group. So you have to appreciate everyone, since we all have qualities that make up a complete loving human race. This is the best flick I've seen since Run Lola Run and Amelie, although Audrey Tautou plays a very different part in this film. So what are you waiting for? Get the Film!!
Rating:
Summary: A joyous mosaic of life in the European Union
Review: "L'auberge espagnole" was playing at the time I lived in Spain (fall 2002), but somehow I never got around to seeing it. Now, more than a year later after returning home, this charming film made me realize how much I enjoyed my experiences studying in Spain, cherished my friendships with other Erasmus students, and relived the embarrassing "fish out of water" moments that made my stay so memorable. Directed by Cédric Klapisch, "L'auberge espagnole" tells the tale of Xavier (Romain Duris), a twentysomething Parisian studying economics. Xavier decides to spend a year at the Universitat de Barcelona as an Erasmus student (a university exchange between EU member countries), and along the way he meets an assortment of other European students, locals, and transplanted French (a local at a bar offers to teach him "puta madre" Spanish, which made me laugh out loud.) Xavier arrives in Barcelona disoriented and brokenhearted at having to leave his girlfriend and the comfort of familiarity behind. Weighted down by a myriad of bags (which brought back plenty of memories of my arriving in Spain similarly loaded down), he wanders the unfamiliar streets, alone and friendless, not speaking either language fluently (Castillano, the official language of Spain, and Catalán, the official language of Catalunya and Barcelona). After ditching the morose boarding accommodations provided by a friend of his hippie mother's, Xavier begins the grueling and expensive task of finding a flat. His search lands him in a flat with six other Erasmus students: Londoner Wendy (a noted clean freak), Aragonese Soledad, the gorgeous Italian Alessandro, Tobias from Germany, the Dane Lars, and latecomer Isabelle from Belgium. Slowly, Xavier adjusts to his new life: an utter lack of privacy, homesickness for his girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou from Amélie), studying, balanced with the occasional joint and night out clubbing. The seven flatmates generally get along, speaking with each other in English and Spanish. A wrench is thrown into the mix when Wendy's obnoxious brother William (Kevin Bishop) comes to spend two weeks with them and ends up offending everyone. Xavier also becomes infatuated with the wife of a French doctor working in Barcelona and the two begin an affair. Although he believes himself to be an adequate lover, Xavier is coached by the lesbian Isabelle on how to truly please a woman, and the result, as Xavier says, is "like something from the movies." The film is beautiful to look at, showcasing the architecture of Gaudí (Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell), the swaying palm trees, blue water and sandy beaches of Barcelona, and Paris at intervals as well. The film's humor is reflected in the editing, "you are here" labels, and special effects. The music is an upbeat mix of new and old that perfectly reflects modern Europe, including contributions by Radiohead, Ali Farka Toure, Vicente Amigo, Kouz-1, Daft Punk and the late Arthur Rubinstein. My only complaints would be the lack of extras (there was a made-for-TV documentary of the making of (or "making off" as you'll see in France and Spain) the film, European Confusion, not included here), and the rather high price. The DVD contains both the widescreen and fullscreen versions. Overall, a gem of a film that brought back many happy memories of living in Spain (Burgos, in my case) and made me homesick for the many wonderful people and experiences I had while living there (I hope to teach in Barcelona in the near future). ¡Viva España!
Rating:
Summary: Charmingly irresponsible comedy
Review: Certain places attract the weird and wacky like moths to a flame. "L'Auberge Espagnole" ("The Spanish Apartment") seems to be one of those places, in a charming little comedy about a rather clueless French exchange student who finds out about life from his peculiar neighbors. Xavier (Romain Duris) is a naive, uncertain young Frenchman with a promising future, even though he's still living with his hippie-dippy mother. He secretly longs to be a writer, but is buried up to his nose in the French bureaucracy. To get the job he wants in the European Commission, however, he has to spend a year in Spain. So he leaves his unhappy girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou), moves to Barcelona, and rapidly discovers that the people who live in the building are quite, quite loco. The apartment building has a gaggle of strange people from all different countries, including Belgian lesbian Isabelle (Cécile De France) who teaches him how to seduce women, skills he soon uses on frustrated doctor's wife Anne-Sophie (Judith Godreche). With a bunch of offbeat tenants from all over Europe, and his own problems back home, will Xavier figure out what he really wants? Coming-of-age youths surrounded by loons aren't anything new; last year's "All I Want" has a similar theme. What sets "L'Auberge" apart is the sort of gleeful goofy irresponsibility of the characters. Okay, the theme of the movie is as thin as a Disney cartoon's (be true to yourself and discover your inner artist! In Barcelona!). There are no pretensions of grandeur or depth in this film; the Fawlty Towers homage is proof enough of that. You can see the ending coming a mile away, but it doesn't really matter. The ride is what matters. The overal directing style of this movie can be summed up: "cute." That's about all. The pitter-patter of feet as the characters fast-forward through the building is cute the first time, but doesn't really wear well. The humor is cute (the seduction instruction is priceless), with plenty of fluffily goofy moments. And the camera lingers both on the gritty and picturesque parts of Barcelona, giving a good feel for what it might be like to live there. The supporting characters tend to be rather stereotypical, such as the uptight Brit or the talkative Italian. I liked the weirdos anyway. Duris has a certain naive charm that makes Xavier seem even younger than he is, although sometimes he needs a slap on the... well, the butt. Tautou, unfortunately, is wasted in her small role, but is noteworthy even though she has little screen time. "L'Auberge Espagnole" is a charming, unrealistic, slightly goofy comedy film, a little like a multi-lingual sitcom. Fluffy, cute and lightweight, a little like cotton candy.
Rating:
Summary: An appealing cast in an enormously enjoyable film
Review: I watched L'Auberge Espagnole because of the presence of Audrey Tautou, the luminous star of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's masterful Amélie, but it ended up as a complete surprise. Tautou has a relatively minor role, but the film didn't even need her. I didn't know what to expect, but I found it to be one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a long time. It sucked me right in from the beginning. The main character is Xavier, a French student who goes to Barcelona Spain to study. There he stays in an apartment with about six other people all from different European countries. He's studying economics, but he finds that he learns more from his roommates than he ever may in school. This is a bright, dazzling, lovely film. The cast is excellent with many interesting characters. Several different languages are spoken (mostly French, English and Spanish) and the differences between them provide much of the subject matter. Of course there are many romantic entanglements, both serious and humorous, and subplots and side stories which take us deeper into the lives of the characters. By the end of the film, I really felt like I knew these characters and wanted to spend more time with them. It's a two-hour film, but I didn't want it to end. I could have easily sat through another hour of it. At the end, however, I really felt fulfilled, and much like Xavier in the film, felt that I had learned a little about life and how valuable our experiences are. L'Auberge Espagnole is a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable film about human relationships and experience that is both comic and poignant. I loved it and I look forward to seeing it a second time. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An International "Real World"/Coming of Age Film
Review: I enjoyed this film- it was fast-paced, had interesting characters, and gave a unique twist to what could have been a stale/over-used plot. The main character's decision to live abroad for a year was less than adequately clear, as was his age intially. I particularly enjoyed the various trials and tribulations of Xavier's roomates- the interesting/quirky characters thrown into the mix added a lot of humor and interest to this film.
Rating:
Summary: A warm and friendly comedy about leaving...
Review: Xavier is a economics student that receives guidance in regards to his education from a friend of the family and is steered in the direction of Spain's economy. As a result he contacts Erasmus, a European wide student organization, to study in Barcelona, Spain. However, it creates a predicament for Xavier as he must leave his beloved girlfriend Martine in Paris, which saddens him. In tears Xavier spreads his wings as he leaves home for the first time and he finds himself homeless in Barcelona. After many troubles he finally finds an apartment that he must share with a group of foreign students from all over Europe. This is the beginning for a warm and friendly comedy about the difficulty a person can encounter as he or she leaves his or her place of origin.
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