AtanariaIn March 2020, Philippe Guillard presented French audiences with a new comedy titled Papi Sitter, featuring cinema veterans Gérard Lanvin and Olivier Marchal. The film, broadcast for the first time on France 2, follows the trend of popular comedies exploring generational conflicts—a formula often successful at the French box office.
A Familiar Recipe, Still Effective
Since his debut film Le Fils à Jo in 2011, Guillard has made a name for himself in French cinema with personal and touching stories. With Papi Sitter, he slightly departs from this intimate vein to fully embrace the codes of family comedy. The film tells the story of two grandfathers, with opposite personalities, who must take care of their granddaughter Camille (brilliantly portrayed by Camille Aguilar) while her parents are away. Their mission: to help her prepare for her baccalaureate exams.
A Top-Notch Duo of Actors
The real draw of Papi Sitter lies in the performances of Gérard Lanvin and Olivier Marchal, who rekindle their on-screen chemistry from Le Fils à Jo. Lanvin plays a former gendarme with rigid tendencies, delivering a spot-on portrayal of restrained anger and touching sensitivity. Alongside him, Marchal adopts a more clownish tone, delivering comedic moments that, although sometimes uneven, often elicit genuine laughter.
A Predictable but Entertaining Plot
While the film doesn’t stand out for its originality, it manages to hold interest through clever writing and efficient direction. The first part of the film, fairly standard, sets the stage for the family dynamics. However, it’s in the second half that Papi Sitter hits its stride. The confrontations between the two grandfathers over their educational methods become the heart of the story, transforming the comedy into a sort of “War of the Roses” for seniors. These scenes, often jubilant, give the film a distinctive flavor and elevate it beyond a simple family comedy.
A Modest Yet Charming Comedy
Papi Sitter may not bring groundbreaking innovations to the genre, but it fully embraces its role as a light and accessible entertainment. It’s another variation on the theme of generational clashes but remains enjoyable thanks to its strong performances and some clever narrative touches. The film doesn’t claim to revolutionize the genre, and it’s precisely this modesty that adds to its charm.
In conclusion, Papi Sitter is a delightful comedy that, without reinventing the genre, offers a pleasant experience through solid acting and polished direction. For fans of family films and generational conflicts, it’s well worth a watch.
