Bon Voyage on DVD (2003)

Fast paced mystery, adventure, romance thriller!

Steamcarrot from East Yorkshire , 16/09/2007

Bon Voyage is a neat little wartime thriller mixing in romance, mystery, adventure and more than a smattering of farce. At times it comes across as Hitchcock-ian. Although the master's sure hold of suspense is noticeable by it's absence, all the other ingredients are here to keep you watching. Most of the action occurs in around a hotel where various people are staying, hiding out while the Germans are invading Paris. There's the usual suspects of the professor with secrets that musn't fall into enemy hands who has a beautiful; girl trying to help him who bumps into an escaped convict who happens to be the ex boyfriend of a beautiful actress who also is staying at the hotel, now involved with a government minister etc etc. You get the idea. Two things I have to mention: firstly the sets/locations used are superb and the other isthe cracking pace; you can get truly breathless just watching it. Luckily the director can handle such a speed and the film charges on giving you just enough time to wonder who'll end up with who, is so-and-so a spy? and hasn't Gerard Depardieu lost a lot of weight! Recommended.

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Only the French could make a film like this

marnie77 from London , 31/01/2005

Set during the Nazi invasion of Paris, the plot of Bon Voyage revolves around a lovely French actress, Viviane, played by an engaging Isabelle Adjani, her childhood friend, the struggling young writer Frederic (Gregori Derangere) who takes the rap for the murder that Viviane commits, and heavy water, a substance that could make or break the war if it falls into the wrong hands.

Gerard Depardieu, gorgeous Virginie Ledoyen, and Adjani, among others, give lovely performances, and American actor Peter Coyote is surprisingly good as an American journalist cum Nazi agent, one of the many men who fall at Viviane's feet.

Although perhaps not as accomplished as director Jean-Paul Rappeneau's earlier film Cyrano de Bergerac, Bon Voyage is still an extremely enjoyable film that satirizes a difficult period of French history beautifully. A must-see, especially if you are Adjani or Depardieu fan.

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A superb tapestry woven with perfectly timed skill

A customer from Somerset , 25/06/2005

Set against the dramatic backdrop of a France about to fall following the WW2 German invasion, a self-obsessed manipulative filmstar finds it harder to maintain her selfish hold over amours when they are caught up in far more serious matters-- the Minister in the debate about whether France should surrender,the besotted boy next door determined to clear his name of a murder she involved him in and the wily treacherous journalist in trying to prevent the smuggling out of France of a physicist and his deadly work.

Full of action, intrigue and fast-paced. The performances are stunning even minor roles but especially the two lead actresses around whom the story weaves. We saw it back to back with 'A Very Long Engagement' (also totally awesome but set in WW1)which we bought without bothering to rent first and I have to say it was the best movie night this year and then some !!!!!

We heartily recommend you see them both like we did- different styles but oh so classy !

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You need to see this film

OurChoice from Lincs , 20/01/2005

If you think that Hollywood is the only place in the world to produce good films then rent this one! It was funny, had a great plot line and had excellent characterisation. The backdrop of Pairs and then the South of France during the war was stunning.

I really cannot praise this film highly enough. Bravo!

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Fast paced mystery, adventure, romance thriller!

Steamcarrot from East Yorkshire , 16/09/2007

Bon Voyage is a neat little wartime thriller mixing in romance, mystery, adventure and more than a smattering of farce. At times it comes across as Hitchcock-ian. Although the master's sure hold of suspense is noticeable by it's absence, all the other ingredients are here to keep you watching. Most of the action occurs in around a hotel where various people are staying, hiding out while the Germans are invading Paris. There's the usual suspects of the professor with secrets that musn't fall into enemy hands who has a beautiful; girl trying to help him who bumps into an escaped convict who happens to be the ex boyfriend of a beautiful actress who also is staying at the hotel, now involved with a government minister etc etc. You get the idea. Two things I have to mention: firstly the sets/locations used are superb and the other isthe cracking pace; you can get truly breathless just watching it. Luckily the director can handle such a speed and the film charges on giving you just enough time to wonder who'll end up with who, is so-and-so a spy? and hasn't Gerard Depardieu lost a lot of weight! Recommended.

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A superb tapestry woven with perfectly timed skill

A customer from Somerset , 25/06/2005

Set against the dramatic backdrop of a France about to fall following the WW2 German invasion, a self-obsessed manipulative filmstar finds it harder to maintain her selfish hold over amours when they are caught up in far more serious matters-- the Minister in the debate about whether France should surrender,the besotted boy next door determined to clear his name of a murder she involved him in and the wily treacherous journalist in trying to prevent the smuggling out of France of a physicist and his deadly work.

Full of action, intrigue and fast-paced. The performances are stunning even minor roles but especially the two lead actresses around whom the story weaves. We saw it back to back with 'A Very Long Engagement' (also totally awesome but set in WW1)which we bought without bothering to rent first and I have to say it was the best movie night this year and then some !!!!!

We heartily recommend you see them both like we did- different styles but oh so classy !

Read all highest rated reviews