Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma de Caunes, Max Baldry.
Storyline: Mr. Bean wins a holiday to Cannes and causes havoc along the way.
Bottomline: An infuriating, imbecile, laugh-out-loud film.
Recently, British newspapers were in a tizzy after the Iranian captors of young Brit sailor Arthur Batchelor mockingly called him ‘Mr. Bean’. For millions of non-Brits, the bumbling, awkward, child-like character of Rowan Atkinson defines British comedy. You may love him or hate him (often within the span of a few minutes), but it’s hard not to react to his incredible stupidity and affinity for trouble. Although, after the Borat phenomenon, Atkinson’
;s straightforward, chaste slapstick humour comes as a refreshing change.
‘Mr. Bean’s Holiday’ has our Mini Cooper-driving hero off to France to take in the sun and sand on the Cote d’Azur. The yellow mini is left behind, but the French Bean has a camcorder to entertain himself on the journey.
Of course where he goes, trouble follows. He manages to separate the ussian jury chairperson of the Cannes Film Festival from his son, ruin a yoghurt commercial of a pretentious American filmmaker (Willem Dafoe) and sort of find a love interest in a beautiful French starlet (Emma de Caunes).
Be aware that you won’t just be clicking your tongue, you will be slapping your forehead and tearing your hair in despair as Mr. Bean goes about his business, upsetting the world around as he makes his way to the French Riviera.
The people at Cannes must be thanking their lucky stars this is just a movie. ‘Mr. Bean’s Holiday’ is strictly for Bean fans.
SUSAN MUTHALALY
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