Okay, fellow tape travellers, let's rewind to a time when a trip to the video store's "Foreign Films" section could unearth some real gems, often stumbled upon purely by chance or intriguing cover art. Forget the gritty realism or high-octane explosions for a moment. Sometimes, what you needed was charm, wit, and a gorgeous location – and that's precisely what you get when you pop 1980's Jupiter's Thigh (or On a volé la cuisse de Jupiter if you found the French import!) into your VCR. This isn't your typical 80s actioner, but it delivers its own brand of frantic, delightful energy.
### Honeymoon Hijinks in Hellas
Imagine this: You're finally on your honeymoon in Greece, ready for romance amidst ancient ruins. Except you're Lise Tanquerelle (Annie Girardot), a sharp Paris police commissioner, and your new husband is Antoine Lemercier (Philippe Noiret), a slightly fussy classics professor. Before you can say "Opa!", you trip – almost literally – over a murder victim connected to a stolen archaeological treasure: a piece of an antique statue, the titular thigh of Jupiter. So much for quiet newlywed bliss! What follows is less a gritty procedural and more a sun-drenched, slightly chaotic caper across stunning Greek landscapes.
If Lise and Antoine feel instantly familiar, like a comfortable old sweater, that's because they are! This film is actually a sequel to 1977's Tendre Poulet (Dear Detective), where this unlikely pair first met and fell in love. A little retro fun fact: Bringing back established couples for comedic sequels was a popular move in French cinema, banking on the audience's affection for the stars. And the chemistry between the legendary Annie Girardot and Philippe Noiret is the absolute bedrock of this film. Girardot, tough but flustered, and Noiret, intellectual yet constantly bewildered by the unfolding madness, are simply perfection together. Their bickering feels lived-in, their affection genuine, even when dodging bullets or eccentric suspects.
### That de Broca Flair
The man orchestrating this delightful mayhem is director Philippe de Broca, a filmmaker who practically specialised in breezy, globe-trotting adventure comedies, often starring Jean-Paul Belmondo in classics like That Man from Rio. De Broca brings that same sense of light-footed energy here. The "action" isn't about bone-crunching fights, but rather frantic chases through narrow Athenian streets, precarious climbs around the monasteries of Meteora (talk about practical location shooting!), and a general sense of well-meaning panic. It feels wonderfully tangible in a way that CG-heavy chases often don't – you feel the heat, see the dust kicked up by slightly improbable getaway vehicles.
Adding to the flavour is the script, co-written by the iconic Michel Audiard. Anyone familiar with French cinema of the era knows Audiard's name means dialogue that crackles – witty, rapid-fire, full of puns and characterful observations. While some nuances might get lost in translation on the English-dubbed VHS copies many of us likely rented, the sheer rhythm and comedic timing usually shine through, especially in Girardot and Noiret's exchanges.
### Sunshine, Statues, and Slight Silliness
Alongside our main couple, Francis Perrin adds another layer of comedic energy as Charles-Hubert Pochet, an earnest young archaeologist who gets swept up in the chaos. The plot itself is a fairly standard McGuffin chase, but it’s the journey and the characters that matter. It’s less about the "who" and "why" of the murder and theft, and more about the increasingly absurd situations Lise and Antoine find themselves in.
Watching it now, sure, some elements feel distinctly "early 80s." The pacing might seem leisurely compared to modern thrillers, and some plot mechanics rely on convenient coincidences. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to be a little bit silly, to prioritise a good chuckle and a beautiful vista over gritty realism. Remember renting something like this, maybe not knowing exactly what to expect, and just being swept away by the sheer pleasantness of it all? The Greek scenery alone, captured on film before becoming quite the ubiquitous tourist backdrop it is today, felt like a genuine escape viewed on a fuzzy CRT screen. Filming extensively on location in places like Athens and the visually stunning Meteora region gives the film an authentic sense of place that grounds the comedic antics.
It wasn't a massive international hit, more of a domestic success in France building on the popularity of the first film and its beloved stars. But for VHS hunters venturing beyond the usual blockbuster aisles, Jupiter's Thigh represented a delightful discovery – a sophisticated, funny, and visually appealing European comedy that offered a different kind of thrill.
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VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: The irresistible chemistry between Girardot and Noiret, coupled with de Broca's light directorial touch and the gorgeous Greek scenery, makes this a thoroughly enjoyable comedic caper. Audiard's witty dialogue adds sparkle, even if some is lost in translation. It loses a few points for a plot that's more serviceable than ingenious and pacing that feels a touch dated, but its charm is undeniable. It perfectly captures a specific type of breezy, character-driven European comedy adventure common in the era.
Final Word: Forget hyper-realism; this is pure 80s Euro-comedy comfort food, best enjoyed with a nostalgic appreciation for charm over complexity and two leads you just love spending time with.