105 minutes, French Comedy, M
The 27th season of the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival will showcase 42 new feature films over a 3 week stretch across Australia throughout March & April (refer to the end of this review for dates, states and locations). Judging by the list of films on their way and my first French film stop for 2016, we’re in for a real treat with quite an exciting, eclectic make-up of movies.
A very simple plot is carried out to delightful precision in MICROBE & GASOLINE, a comedy in which young teenagers Daniel and Theo strike up a friendship at high school and decide to build a makeshift motorhome (of sorts – see poster below!) to road trip their way out of the mundane and depressing suburban lives they’ve been stuck in.
MICROBE & GASOLINE is written and directed by Michel Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, THE GREEN HORNET).
What this French feel-gooder may lack in storyline and direction, it more than makes up for with heart & soul, and an irresistible sense of adventure that takes you along on what is an affectionate, heart-warming and crowd pleasing journey. What fuels this gorgeous gem of a film is its screenplay, creatively concocted by Gondry, it is abundant with cleverly thought-out and deliciously executed lines and scenarios that draw an infallible liking and connection to its two leads. While Daniel and Theo are unconventional types to the accepted norms around them, they by no means will be lost in translation to their audience. The pairing of Ange Dargent (feature debut) and Theophile Baquet (previously acted in one film only) will go down as one of the greatest this year. The two of them share an infectiously budding chemistry that bursts off the screen with all the youthful energy and a zest for life that life itself should be lived. Astonishingly, they make it look effortless too! MICROBE & GASOLINE is at risk of being unseen by many who will actually fall in love with this film. Therefore, now is your chance to ensure that love is not lost upon you. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by what you see!
4 out of 5
MICROBE ET GASOIL – Film Trailer
SYDNEY: 1-24 March Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema & Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
MELBOURNE: 2-24 March Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino Cinemas & The Astor Theatre
CANBERRA: 3-29 March Palace Electric Cinema
BRISBANE: 11 March – 3 April Palace Barracks & Palace Centro
PERTH: 16 March – 7 April Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX & Windsor Cinema
ADELAIDE: 31 March – 24 April Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
CASULA: 7-10 April Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
PARRAMATTA: 7-10 April Riverside Theatre
HOBART: 28 April – 4 May State Cinema
Footnote to Parents
I’d love to say this is a great family film, but this is definitely not a family film! Nor is it an adult’s only experience either. There is some offensive language including sexual references and a couple of brief scenes that show content of a strong and graphic sexual nature (for an M classification), mostly via drawings. I believe from ages 13 and up will have a suitable maturity level to watch this comedy.
Moviedoc wishes to thank Annette from Ned & Co Marketing and Publicity, STUDIOCANAL and Palace Cinema Como for the invitation to the exclusive media screening event of MICROBE & GASOLINE.
Review by Moviedoc
“LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc (The one with E.T!)
©
Moviedoc 
Leave a comment