Okay, pull up a comfy chair, maybe grab a beverage that reminds you of simpler times. Let's rewind the tape back to 1982, but maybe not to the film you think this is. If the title "Singles" conjures images of flannel shirts and grunge bands in Seattle, hit pause. We're heading across the Atlantic for a different kind of early 80s vibe altogether with Claude Zidi's French comedy, Les Sous-doués en vacances – which sometimes carried the international title Singles (or The Under-Gifted on Vacation) on those intriguing, slightly mysterious foreign film shelves at the video store. This isn't Cameron Crowe's thoughtful romance; it's a sequel to Zidi's wildly successful 1980 slapstick-fest Les Sous-doués, and it brings back that familiar blend of youthful chaos and distinctly Gallic absurdity.
Sun, Sand, and Studying? Not Likely.
The premise is pure early-80s teen comedy, filtered through a French lens. Remember Bébel (Daniel Auteuil, already showcasing the charisma that would make him a huge star) and his band of academically challenged friends from the first film? Having somehow scraped through their exams (or perhaps cheated their way through – memories of the original are hazy but fond!), they're ready for a summer holiday. They land jobs (if you can call it that) working at a glamorous Saint-Tropez resort run by the perpetually exasperated singer Paul Memphis (Guy Marchand, effortlessly cool even when flustered). Of course, their idea of 'work' involves elaborate schemes, romantic pursuits, and generally causing maximum disruption, much to the chagrin of Memphis and the delight of his mischievous daughter, Claudine (Grace de Capitani). Does any actual work get done? Does anyone learn a valuable life lesson? Let's just say that's not really the point here.
A Different Kind of Teen Comedy Flavor
Watching Les Sous-doués en vacances now feels like unearthing a specific flavour profile of the era. While American teen comedies like Porky's (also 1982) were pushing boundaries with raunchiness, Zidi’s film leans more into classic French farce and elaborate, almost cartoonish slapstick. Think less locker room humor, more inventive contraptions and situations spiraling wildly out of control. There's a certain innocence mixed with the anarchy – the gags are often broad, relying on physical comedy and misunderstandings rather than sharp wit. It's a style Claude Zidi, who also gave us comedies like La Zizanie (1978) with Louis de Funès and Inspector Blunder (1980) with Coluche, knew well. He directs with a brisk pace, keeping the energy high even when the plot threads become increasingly tangled.
One fun tidbit: the original Les Sous-doués (1980) was a colossal hit in France, selling nearly 4 million tickets. This sequel aimed to recapture that magic, reuniting much of the cast and relocating the chaos to the sun-drenched French Riviera. It was a savvy move, tapping into the desire for escapist summer fun, and it performed respectably, though perhaps without the same lightning-in-a-bottle impact as the first. Seeing a young Daniel Auteuil, years before his César-winning dramatic turns in films like Jean de Florette (1986) and Manon des Sources (1986), reveling in pure comedic silliness is a treat. He possesses an undeniable charm, even as the leader of this pack of delightful idiots. Guy Marchand, too, is pitch-perfect as the beleaguered target of their antics, a suave crooner trying to maintain dignity amidst the escalating madness.
Charmingly Dated, Undeniably French
Does it hold up perfectly? Perhaps not by modern standards. The humor is very much of its time, relying on tropes and gags that feel decidedly vintage. Some sequences might stretch credibility even for a farce. Yet, there's an undeniable energy, a breezy, sun-soaked silliness that’s hard to dislike entirely. It captures that feeling of summer vacation where responsibility takes a backseat to adventure and romance, however clumsily pursued. The practical gags, the physical comedy – it all has that tactile quality we remember from the era before CGI smoothed everything over. You can almost feel the warm Mediterranean air and hear the cicadas buzzing between the pratfalls.
For those of us who haunted the foreign film section of the video store, films like this were little windows into a different world. They might have had slightly wonky subtitles or questionable dubbing, but they offered a different comedic sensibility, a different rhythm. Les Sous-doués en vacances wasn't aiming for profound statements; it was aiming for laughs, sunshine, and maybe a little bit of chaos by the sea. I remember stumbling upon tapes like this, often drawn in by the cover art promising Euro-cool or beachside antics, and finding something endearingly goofy and unfamiliar.
The Verdict
This isn't a lost masterpiece, nor is it the angsty Gen-X touchstone its English title might accidentally suggest. It's a fluffy, silly, sun-drenched slice of early 80s French comedy, a sequel riding the wave of its predecessor's success. It's driven by energetic performances, particularly from the young Auteuil and the seasoned Marchand, and filled with the kind of elaborate slapstick that Claude Zidi excelled at. If you enjoyed the original Les Sous-doués or have a soft spot for breezy, slightly dated European comedies from the VHS era, it’s a pleasant enough trip down memory lane.
Rating: 6/10
The rating reflects its nature as a light, enjoyable, but ultimately fairly disposable sequel. It delivers on its promise of silly summer fun and showcases early talent, but lacks the breakout impact or lasting resonance of true classics. Still, there’s definite charm here for the retro-inclined viewer looking for something a little off the beaten path.
It leaves you wondering less about the human condition and more about just how much trouble one group of students could possibly cause on the French Riviera – and weren't those simpler cinematic pleasures sometimes exactly what we needed?