A Little Something Extra, from actor and director Artus, is the kind of movie that doesn’t have the best premise. It’s also the kind of movie that will get an American remake that will be worse than the original. But the longer it goes, the more chances it has to show its heart, which makes it better. So here goes – a reluctant thief and his father tries to get away from their latest botched jewellery store heist job.
Because this is a French comedy, they park their getaway car in an accessible spot so in come the towing company, and the spot is also in front of a centre for people with different abilities. The centre, en route to a vacation, mistakes Paulo (Artus) as a new member of this poor facility. Hilarity then ensues in A Little Something Extra, where the thieves forge relationships with the facility’s staff as well as their clients.
Yes, A Little Something Extra is the kind of movie centreing on neurotypicals instead of their neuroatypical friends. It’s also one where said neurotypicals get the moment where they find Jesus, but it makes those moments worthwhile. The more difficult Jesus moment comes from ada La Fraise/Orpi (Clovis Cornillac) befriending Baptiste (Théophile Leroy). It helps that these relationships have a power dynamic more complex than they seem.
Another thing that makes A Little Something Extra worthwhile is how it gives viewers surprises on their ‘important’ storylines. Yes, La Fraise and Paulo are still hiding from the cops and making friends smarter than they seem. But it also highlights important B plots like the centre’s main facilitator, Alice (Alice Belaïdi) and whether she stays. I know that the movie made its priorities and it’s predictable but one can feel the sincerity on screen.
- Rated: G
- Genre: Comedy
- Release Date: 11/02/2024
- Directed by: Artus
- Starring: Alice Belaïdi, Artus Clovis, Cornillac
- Produced by: Pierre Forette, Thierry Wong
- Written by: Artus, Clément Marchand, Milan Mauger
- Studio: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Cinéma
