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Just Visiting

Just Visiting

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $13.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pathetically French
Review: In regards to Pathetically American, You have no taste! I have seen the french version and all I can say is this remake is much better.Very funny movie!!!..maybe you should return to France!!!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Just Plain Fun!
Review: In today's no plot Hollywood, with gigantic specical effects that make up for lack of acting tallent, Just Visiting is a warm and fun film.
Just Visiting is about two guy's from 12th century France being blasted into mordern day Chicago and their crazy! adventure in trying to deal with their new found situation, everything from cars, economics to food. Cristian Claiver deserves a great deal of credit in setting the tone of this movie, for his role as the loyale yet skiddish servent. This movie has some real rich meaning, like not selling out, as well knowing who you are, and what you want out of life. So if your thinking about buying a video that is more than just a Hollywood blow-over,
Just Visiting! is the movie you've been waiting to see!!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Just Good: Not So Bad Remake of French Comedy
Review: It is not unusual that films made outside America is remade with the original cast ("My Father the Hero" for instance") or with the original director ("Vanishing" and "Nightwatch"). But "Just Visiting," a French hit comedy, brings back both of them, from its original "Vistors": the leading duo, Jean Reno and Christian Clavier, and director Jean-Marie Poire. Though the result is not as good as it should be, the film has some good and hilarious moments for anyone, especially when he/she can heartily laugh at somebody else's miserable day.

Jean Reno is a knight living 900 years ago, whose finance is lovely Christina Applegate. However, he accidentally kills her because of a witch's magic portion, and learns that he has to travel back to the time before he is tricked into that atrocious action. So, with a help from good magician Malcom McDowell, he is supposed to travel back to the past with his ever-faithful (and forever stinking) servant Christian Clavier through the time corridor, only to find themselves carried to modern-day Chicago by mistake!

This typical fish-out-of-water situation is used to the full, beginning with dead-serious Reno attacking a car, mistaking it for a red dragon. A kind curator Applegate (double role) takes them under her wing, at first mistaking them for her missing cousin, but soon learns that these guys in weird costumes are much more troublesome existence than she thought, messing around everything in her life.

To be honest, I didn't find the original French film so funny as people say. Probably that is because I don't buy the idea of the characters' receiving those noisy guests without much complaint. Some would find their wacky attitudes are too irritating and annoying before they remember that it is just a comedy, and they are not to be blamed. If you're a kind of person who prefers subtle, gentle touch to "Home Alone" like physical gags, you should stay away from this one. (And one of the co-writers happens to be John Hughes.)

The sub-plot about Applegate's own unfaithful fiance is just useless, and because of that plot, there is no chance for us to see chemistry between Reno and her. Eqaully regrattable is the unexpectedly gentle relation between Tara Reid and Clavier, which should have been explored more.

It is interesting, finally, to see the difference between the original French version and the American one. If you get a chance, just watch the original, which is much wackier than the remake. Clavier in Chicago, for instance, is supposed to be dirty -- every character says so -- while he in fact seems very clean. Look at the French one; he IS really, truly dirty.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: All It Needs Is Clouseau
Review: Magic, as well as evil, is afoot in 12th Century France, and when the two are combined to effect the sinister scheme of an unscrupulous individual the result is a comedic journey for a Nobleman and his lackey as they are transported into the 21st Century in "Just Visiting," directed by Jean-Marie Poire, and starring Jean Reno and Christina Applegate. Count Thibault (Reno) is about to marry Princess Rosalind (Applegate), daughter of King Henry (Richard Bremmer) and his Queen (Sarah Badel), but at a prenuptial banquet the Earl of Warwick (Robert Glenister), who covets the fair Rosalind, coerces a witch (Valerie Griffiths) into casting a spell that will enable him to usurp Thibault and make Rosalind his own. The plan goes gravely awry, however, and Thibault subsequently engages the talents of an English Wizard (Malcolm McDowell) to set things aright. But the Wizard proceeds to muck it up even worse, sending Thibault and his slave, Andre le Pate (Christian Clavier), into a "Tunnel of time" from which they ultimately emerge in Chicago, 2001, where they encounter Julia Malfete (also Applegate), the spitting image of Rosalind, who turns out to be a direct descendant of Thibault. And it becomes the task of the Nobleman, Thibault, to find a way back to his own time. In the meantime, he and Andre attempt to negotiate this world of the future with a Medieval mind-set that puts them at odds with the inanimate objects and humans that surround them. And it becomes a trial by fire for the brave Count, and a laugh riot of uproarious proportions for the audience.

This stranger-in-a-strange-land, fish-out-of-water scenario has been done before, to be sure, but it's given a fresh face here compliments of Poire, who sets a good pace and keeps the story on track, and the talents and impeccable comedic timing of his cast, especially Clavier and Reno, who play so well off of one another. Much of what transpires is predictable-- the way Thibault and Andre react to a modern city replete with technology, and specifically things like automobiles, light switches and television-- but they always manage to take it one step further, which makes the humor spontaneous and genuinely funny.

Reno is perfect as Thibault, playing it straight and allowing the humor to naturally evolve from the character's reaction to a situation rather than going for the purely physical humor. Reno, in fact, demonstrates a real talent for acting through reacting, which makes his character believable and adds to the humor of the film. He never allows Thibault to lose that 12th Century logic, willing to attest to his own nobility, for example, to anyone who will listen, and backing it up with a verbal inventory of his assets, which includes things like fifty barrels of olives and, of course, Andre. It's not a performance that requires a lot of depth, but for the film to work it had to be done right, and with precision, and Reno succeeds admirably on both counts.

Clavier, on the other hand, goes straight for the jugular with an all-out assault of slapstick and physical humor that takes it right to the edge and works perfectly in effecting what was intended: He makes you laugh out loud. Reminiscent of a cross between Peter Sellers' Clouseau-- though not as subtle-- and the best of Monty Python, Clavier creates a memorable character, who as the "property" of Thibault gives a real perspective and context to the humor of the story. Some of his "discoveries" of the modern world will have you rolling on the floor. And again, the fact that he plays the character straight and not just "for" laughs adds significantly to the overall humor of the film.

Christina Applegate provides a welcome presence as Rosalind/Julia, and while not a stretch for her as an actor, by any means, she lends a quality to the film that could be easily overlooked, but would be quite apparent as a missing element without her. She has a natural, charismatic manner that makes her endearing and sympathetic, and it's a good, solid performance through which she creates a credible, well rounded character.

The supporting cast includes Matt Ross (Hunter), Tara Reid (Angelique), Bridgette Wilson (Amber), John Aylward (Byron), George Plimpton (Dr. Brady), Bill Bailey (Thibault's Father) and Clare Welch (Thibault's Mother). A comedy that successfully blends the fine art of comedic subtlety with physical gags, "Just Visiting" is everything a comedy should be: Funny and entertaining. And it does it without venturing into over-the-top Farrelly Brothers territory or by employing the abstract brand of hilarity often offered by the Coen Brothers. It's a film that succeeds on it's own merits, and does it splendidly. It's a funny one you don't want to miss, and that's the magic of the movies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just Visiting is awseome.
Review: My husband and I just went to see Just Visiting at the theatre last week. We thought it was a great movie, funny and exciting. One of the better movies that I've seen recently. We're hoping to find it on video soon, sowe can share it with our families.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Christina Applegate is Charming in "Just Visiting"
Review: The film based on the original French comedy is funny, original, and well-made. Christina Applegate and Jean Reno star in "Just Visiting," a fantasy tale about two guys from the 13th century, transported through time to the 20th century. While Julia (Christina Applegate) believes the guy is a cousin, lost tragically at sea, the traditional English-man and his peasant companion must adapt to the new century, and the devises and customs that they know nothing of. There is some gross-out and slapstick humor, where much of the comedy is not serious at all, but the film is very well-made for its genre, and Christina Applegate brings life to the film. Before seeing it, you think of it as just a pointless, unserious comedy, but after seeing "Just Visiting," you find the film freshing, original, and fun to watch. Tara Reid and Bridget Wilson-Sampras co-star.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The remake its even better than the original
Review: The movie "Just visiting" its a clever American remake of a the French hit "the visitors". Both movies are about a knight that travels trough time with his lowly servant; However the new version it's full of American humor, new jokes and a even better ending.
The movie it's mainly about the clash of cultures and times between the medieval age and twenty-first century. The knight's and servant's lack of knowledge about our appliances and technology are what make the movie so funny, since the way that people used to live so long ago doesn't compare at all to the life in the big apple. This movie is also full of love stories, action, and an awesome twist ending, which make the movie even more interesting.
I really recommend this movie; However, if you have watched "The visitors" it could decrease the enjoyment of the movie , since the cast, director, story, and even jokes are the same.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The remake its even better than the original
Review: The movie "Just visiting" its a clever American remake of a the French hit "the visitors". Both movies are about a knight that travels trough time with his lowly servant; However the new version it's full of American humor, new jokes and a even better ending.
The movie it's mainly about the clash of cultures and times between the medieval age and twenty-first century. The knight's and servant's lack of knowledge about our appliances and technology are what make the movie so funny, since the way that people used to live so long ago doesn't compare at all to the life in the big apple. This movie is also full of love stories, action, and an awesome twist ending, which make the movie even more interesting.
I really recommend this movie; However, if you have watched "The visitors" it could decrease the enjoyment of the movie , since the cast, director, story, and even jokes are the same.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wish it could stay longer...
Review: There have been many shows where something from the past gets thrown into the future, or where something from the future gets thrown into the past. Either way, it usually gets jumbled up. Just Visiting, however, makes up nicely for all the other flops. The plot follows a medieval knight and his faithful servant as they struggle through the complexities of everday life on a conquest to return to their original time era. The story is wonderfully involving and equally interesting, beginning to end. Just Visiting also has top-notch acting and some great special effects. Yet the highest point of this film is its substantial humor. This show is funny, hands down! I feel Just Visiting is a fair representation of what happens when you mix past culture with pop culture. A delightful, entertaining, and very well-executed show. It will leave you wanting more... and that's just what it should do, too.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Stick with the original french version
Review: This film is a good example of why French films often don't make the transition to American films. The 1993 French original, "Les Visiteurs," was for many years the all time box office champion in France. It succeeded on a number of levels. First, it was a clever time travel film about a French knight and his serf who travel from medieval days to modern day France and meet their ancestors -- a Back To The Future in reverse. Second, it was a charming fantasy with almost Disney like qualities, especially in the 20th century, when our French knight and his serf find kind and sympathetic help from Beatrice, the only one among their descendants who really believes who they are. Third, and perhaps most significant, it was a clever satire about French society. Imagine when our medieval knight makes it to modern times only to discover that his castle is now owned by the descendants of his serf. What follows is a delightful story that is a humorous and often poignant commentary on who and what we are. Sadly, most of that was lost in this American remake --not that the producers didn't try to retain the same magic. They brought in the same two principal actors, and much of the same production crew. It appears, however, that they made one big mistake in the hiring of John Hughes as a writer. What you see here looks too much at times like a Chicago based John Hughes brat pack movie and not enough like an ingenious comedy satire. In addition, much of the Disney like awe and fantasy are also gone. (Ironic, since this was a Disney film.) Instead, the American actors who were added to the cast for the remake are too hip and streetwise to care as much as they should about what they are experiencing. (So why then should we care?) Given all of the rewriting going on in Hollywood these days, it may or may not have been all John Hughes' fault. Nevertheless, a real opportunity was squandered here, and what was so powerfully stated in the original film was lost in this translation. What we learn about film making once again is that writing is the key element. In the case of adapting a foreign film, it takes an intimate understanding of both cultures to pull it off. When it works, it can be wonderful. Other times, not so wonderful, as in this film.


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