I wanted to but couldn't!

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

A Parisian husband who is transfered to a town in north of France carrying a negative image about its people, but then he realizes the truth of his misperceptions. The plot is kinda simple yet fun depicting stereotyping and friendship in a sweet and lovable way. I really felt for the climax as I am one who is really attached to people and places. What helped more to enjoy WELCOME TO THE STICKS (BIENVENUE CHEZ LES CH'TIS) is the incredible work for the subtitles which captured the essence of scenes where different dialects have a role in the plot for non-French speaking.

This is a very funny film by any country's standards. It DOES assume you know something about French geographic stereotypes, but if you have a French buddy by your side (or you have an Aunt who used to live there like I did), then they can clarify it to you really quick. Here's my quick lesson: Southern France - Rich, pastoral, civilized, good...Northern France - the boonies. Of course, that's the prevailing stereotype played for laughs, but the laughs come not from the truth of it, but because of the opposite. And then it gets even more fun and freewheeling. If French is not your mother tongue, the English subtitles do a good job it translating not just standard French, but country accents and slang. You see that there is a difference between the way people talk in different regions. The set-up of the movie is funny and the end pay-off is very satisfying. The characters are all memorable and warm. There is no bad guy, just people who grow to care about each other. In the end, it is about embracing people for who they are as much as it is about standing up for yourself. And it is sooooooo nice to finally see a modern continental European movie without a gratuitous sex scene. The continent could learn quite a bit about filming innocence and whimsy and not always depicting gritty realism. This movie is a great comedy!

OK, this isn't a masterpiece but sure is a pleasant surprise and reaches something rare: it entertains the spectator during it's entire content.There are movies that sometimes loose their balance and consequently bore the viewer making it become then a flop. However this piece of french film-making, that is to the date the most viewed movie in France, maintains a positive balance that comfortably puts a big smile on the face of those who watch it.A Portuguese critic said that this is commercial cinema, sure, but the best of it. Good performances, funny plot filled with hilarious passages and a confident directing make this a must see french 'feel-good' gem that achieves the mission of making the client happy - 7/10.

A year ago, exploring northern France after attending a 2CV rally, my wife and I came across the charming town of Bergues. 'Bienvenu...' had just been released and the town was swarming with tourists and advertisements for the film. A few weeks later we caught the film in England, when it played at our local 'art' cinema. The film's a delight. We've just borrowed it on DVD and it again reduced us to tears of laughter; a warm, funny film about the destruction of pomposity and prejudice and the value of that most important of human relationships, friendship. Great slapstick moments and English subtitles that reflect the word play arising from the interplay between the slushy local dialect - Ch'ti - and French. See the film, then visit the town - both are delightful.