Forced Vacation

There are films whose titles might suggest a simple holiday comedy, full of predictable gags and caricatured characters. Forced Vacation, directed by the accomplished duo François Prévôt-Leygonie and Stephan Archinard, however, goes far beyond this first impression. A French adaptation of the Italian film Odio l'estate, this ensemble comedy starts with a situation that any vacationer would dread: a booking mistake that forces three radically different families to share a paradise villa on the Atlantic coast. What promises to be a series of conflicts and misunderstandings gradually reveals a deeply human story, deliciously nuanced, as funny as it is moving. A worthy summer production, Forced Vacation doesn't just make us laugh. It brings us together.

From the very first minutes, the directors establish the characters with formidable efficiency: a big-hearted railway worker and fan of Gérard Lenorman, played by Clovis Cornillac; a natural and caring wife (Aure Atika); a bourgeois couple in crisis, played by Bertrand Usclat and Pauline Clément, whose exchanges exude muted irritation and social tension; and a self-important publisher (Laurent Stocker), forced to put up with a determined and endearing influencer (Claïna Clavaron), whom he is trying to get published. It could be mistaken for a gallery of clichés. But very quickly, the filmmakers play another card: that of the gradual erosion of archetypes in favor of tenderness, transformation, and a sincere look at our contemporary foibles. And this is perhaps where the vibrant heart of this comedy lies: in its ability to develop its characters without ever betraying them.

Like theater directors, Archinard and Prévôt-Leygonie give their actors a great deal of freedom to make the roles their own. On set, Clovis Cornillac didn't hesitate to stay in character between takes, throwing humorous improvised jibes at his co-stars and creating a friendly and stimulating atmosphere. Pauline Clément, meanwhile, described the filming experience as being like a theater troupe, where each actor gave the others space. This atmosphere of trust and creativity literally infuses the screen. The film flows smoothly, seeming to unfold with the spontaneity of a conversation between friends, even though the writing is actually very controlled. This is the subtlety of the film's direction: making what could have seemed mechanical in other hands appear natural.

Visually, Forced Vacation draws on the talent of cinematographer Thierry Pouget to showcase the dream villa that becomes the setting for a summer of joyful chaos. Each shot is bathed in a golden, almost nostalgic light that accentuates the characters' transformation as well as the gradual easing of tensions. Matthieu Gonet's gentle music underscores these moments of grace, culminating in a finale carried by La balade des gens heureux, a nod to the popular anthem of a more carefree era, but also a reminder that happiness often comes from encounters with others.

What is truly impressive about Forced Vacation is its refusal to be cynical. Even the most irritating characters, such as the manipulative publisher and the pedantic teenager (Lucas Ponton, who is perfectly cast as an insufferable little genius), are given touching arcs of redemption. The film does not excuse behavior, it sheds light on it. It shows that conflicts can be defused not by avoiding them, but by approaching them with patience and curiosity. And in this Summer Dream house, which at first seemed to embody misunderstanding and discomfort, a space of freedom and letting go gradually emerges, where identities rub against each other, clash, and ultimately enrich each other.

The clash between generations and digital cultures, a theme often caricatured in cinema, is treated here with unexpected finesse. Claïna Clavaron, in her first film role, plays an influencer who is far from the stereotypes: lucid, direct, but above all full of depth. Her confrontation with the character played by Laurent Stocker leads to an evolving relationship that is sometimes funny, often tender. Far from a sterile conflict between the old world and the new generation, Forced Vacation opts for a form of listening and mutual education. Laughter arises less from judgment than from sincere awkwardness and unintentional discrepancies that remind us of our own difficulties in adapting.

There is a rare faith in this film in the ability of individuals to change and evolve through contact with others. At a time when comedies often content themselves with reproducing effective formulas or flattering social antagonisms, Forced Vacation takes the gamble of elevation. It shows us that behind fixed social identities—the executive, the worker, the influencer, the intellectual—there is always a human being waiting for recognition, respite, and sharing. And it is precisely in this recognition that the film's humor arises: the kind that laughs with, never against. Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing France and carefully produced by WY Productions, the film has benefited from solid support, and this can be felt in every shot. Nothing is left to chance, but everything seems to be carried by a breath of freedom.

Forced Vacation succeeds in embodying what it tells us: a collective, generous comedy, punctuated by moments of pure sincerity that leave us with a smile and a slightly lighter heart. A film which, like its characters, invites us to put down our suitcases, let down our guard, and live—even if only for a summer—at the pace of others.

At the end of the film, it's hard not to have that slightly outdated refrain, which has suddenly become terribly relevant, stuck in your head: “c'est la balade, la balade des gens heureux...” (it's the walk, the walk of happy people...). Yes, Forced Vacation is indeed that walk. The one that, under the guise of light comedy, reminds us of our ability to connect, listen, and transform. A comedy just the way we like it: human, tender, intelligent. A real breath of fresh air in French comedy. To be seen and seen again, we were completely won over by this dramatic actor who shows us once again that Clovis Cornillac is indeed one of the best French actors working today.

Forced Vacation (Vacances forcées)
Directed by François Prévôt-Leygonie, Stéphan Archinard
Produced by Wassim Béji
Written by François Prévôt-Leygonie, Stéphan Archinard, Martin Darondeau
Starring Clovis Cornillac, Laurent Stocker, Bertrand Usclat, Aure Atika, Pauline Clément, Claïna Clavaron, Lucas Ponton, Thibault Bonenfant
Music by Matthieu Gonet
Cinematography: Thierry Pouget
Edited by Hervé Schneid
Production companies: WY Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing France (France)
Release date: June 11, 2025 (France)
Running time: 100 minutes

Seen on June 7, 2025 (press screener)

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