I liked the movie, it made me remember when I was a little kid and I read the Petit Nicolas books, and I think they made a really good job with picking the little kids for the main roles. Nicolas was ok, Agnan was amazing but I think that the standout was Clotaire. Very expressive kid, it made you like the character and really feel he joy when he finally gives the right answer!
shareClotaire was amazingly charming although he was pretty dumb really xD
I can't forget how he woke up during a lesson after some noise or somebody's shout and automatically, without a word went straight to stand in the room's corner as a punishment for something he must have done XDDD. And how much disoriented, terrorised and helpless he acted during the psychological test, I felt so sorry for him but couldn't help laughing XDDD
Oh, and Le buillon was pretty convincing too :D
One thing I really didn't like was the Nicholas' parents. Dad would be much better as Blédur and mom was just not right. Too old, a shallow person, silly and pretentious imho.
Also I think the class' Mistress was not harsh nor strict enough - it felt more as if she was a beginner young teacher who was lost and helpless and couldn't control the class. That just isn't what I remember her to be in the books.
I agree with everything you said except for Nicholas' parents. I didn't even notice their "age" - they were absolutely perfect in my opinion. I'm still cramping from laughing at Valerie Lemercier's scene with the boss and his wife!
sharewell I loved the kid who played nicolas i thought he was perfect! nicolas is never a very distinguishable character in the books his friends are the scene-stealers tbh. but the kid who played nicolas was just too cute.
and yeah, clotaire was great! i think he made me laugh the most.
They were all so adorable. I was apprehensive about seeing this film since I love the books and wasn't sure if they could do a good job, but I think this is the cutest film I've seen in my entire life. All of the kids did an amazing job. My favorites were definitely Clotaire and Agnan. I have to give Agnan props for being so perfect in the role, even better than I imagined him. Clotaire was hilarious.
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FRIENDLY MUSHROOM! Mushy giant friend!
Agreed, though in my opinion all the child actors did an excellent job! Clotaire is indeed very sympathetic, as he seemed rather kind-hearted and even got along well with Agnan (the teacher's pet). Agnan, Nicholas, Alceste, and Rufus (as well as most of the others) were also quite solid in their roles. The family dynamics were masterfully captured. All in all, a very nice and touching movie (wish it was slighly longer and more scenes with the girls were included). The one part that they omitted was Nicholas' summer camp adventure (mentioned in the book), but I am assuming that they were simply unable to incorporate it into the plot (which flowed very well and wasn't disjointed at all) due to time constraints. I was a bit shocked when the gangster was murdered, this was the only part that must have been scary from a young person's standpoint.
Btw, any idea why it was an all-boys school? Did Nicholas and his pals go to a religious educational institution (which could partly account for the gender separation)?
Btw, any idea why it was an all-boys school? Did Nicholas and his pals go to a religious educational institution (which could partly account for the gender separation)?
I was wondering what was the time the story took place, I thought it was 70's. OK, I see, it is in fact the 50's, a time before I was born. ;)
Though I never read the book before, I think it is a very good movie to watch for everyone of any age. My rating of 9.