With open arms : Christian Clavier meets Philippe de Chauveron
In 2014, What have we done to the Good Lord? had opinions divided between those who saw it as a popular comedy who enjoyed denouncing racism, and those who believed that the film was precisely what it wanted to denounce. But with more than 12 million spectators in France, Philippe de Chauveron was able to be satisfied with his proposal. This was less obvious three years later With open arms (2017)which allowed the director to direct again Cristiano Clavier. In it, the actor plays Jean-Etienne Fougerole, a bourgeois writer married to a rich heiress. In his latest novel With open arms, asks the richest to welcome needy people into their homes. A rival of Jean-Etienne then challenges him to do the same. Since he cannot escape, he will therefore have to do so live with a Roma family.
Philippe de Chauveron’s seventh feature film obviously wasn’t as successful as What have we done to the Good Lord?, which was a special case. But With open arms still attracted more than a million people in cinemas when he was released. A solid figure, without being exceptional for a comedy brought forward by Christian Clavier. However, given the controversy surrounding the film, the box office result could have been very different.
A problematic title and representation
It is the first the initial title of the film that caused the problem. Actually, before calling With open armsthe feature film was called Sivouplééé. A title that refers to the cliché of Roma beggars. As the director explained in press kit of the film, this working title “was immediately controversial” when production was announced, and thus was ultimately changed.
Some thought we were making fun of the Roma. Obviously that wasn’t the case, but what convinced me was that Sorin pointed out to me that he might be clumsy or misunderstood. Being a man with a lot of humor, I listened to him…
The director was referring to Sorin Mihal, important member of the Roma community in Romania, who read the script and attended the filming to assist the production and advise them on whether what was being shown was right or not. But despite the confirmation of the latter, Àarms Ouverts was received badly by the association “La Voix des Roms”, which underlined all photos relating to the community in the film, and the portrayal is “false, humiliating and traumatic.”
The press is shocked by the film
It wasn’t just the association that intervened, as even some of the press had little appreciation for this approach. Telerama he didn’t go too far in writing that Philippe de Chauveron “once again accumulates the nauseating clichés (this time on Rome)”, whileWorth seeing and reading he said he “was amazed” by “this waltz of clichés”. The Unrockuptible even qualified With open arms From movie “vomit”. And on the side of Western France, it was noted that “all the characters are caricatures”, but above all the film “isn’t really that great”. Finally, The Parisian summed up the general feeling well by explaining the root of the problem:
Painting such a detestable picture of an already widely stigmatized community is all the more shocking as the remarks are made by a very popular filmmaker.
As mentioned above, these returns did not prevent With open arms attract more than one million viewers. Although some have appreciated the comedy, the feature film has still obtained, to date, a very low average rating. Only 1.8/5 from viewers ON Assigned.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
