No Big Deal (2003)

Not leaden as a road movie but simply aimless and lightweight, with its three unlike "brothers" searching for their adoptive father and themselves while traveling on a wild goose chase after a statuette whose point is soon forgotten. Romain Duris' presence and a mixture of young men in Spain: yes, you think of "L'Auberge Espagole." But "Pas si grave" has none of the verve, momentum, or international appeal of Klapisch's franchise. As critics have commented, Rapp's effort lacks finesse and consistency. The cross-dressing captain, the beautiful girl who sleeps around, the retired matador, the military band leader who runs things like an opera -- these aren't strong enough elements to hold things together. The main actors are appealing, especially Duris and Boujlila, but they don't interact in any very memorable way. Despite appealing actors and colorful settings, nobody is at their best in this movie, and its failure to get widespread international distribution isn't hard to fathom.

Watched on a French DVD made only for local consumption.