By agreeing to tackle a remake of the Toyfamous film that Francis Veber wrote and directed in 1976, James Huth (Brice of Nice, lucky Luke) knew very well that he was stepping into a minefield. To justify this new version, the director however explores two more novel axes.
The class difference this time takes the form of a portrait between two families from completely opposite backgrounds: one, sinister, where financial concerns do not exist in any way and where human relations are frozen ; the other, modest and warm, living in a housing estate and promoting the principles of solidarity. Huth also chose to dig into the relationship between a widowed father and his 12-year-old son on a more realistic basis.
It turns out that on arrival, The new toy is much less caustic than its illustrious predecessor. By betting on the comedian personality of Jamel Debbouze, often very funny in the role of this night watchman who reluctantly accepts the substantial sums offered to him to serve as a human toy for the child king (Simon Faliu), the director modulates another tone. With Daniel Auteuil, who slips into the skin of this overly rich man who may find a way to gradually get closer to his son, Debbouze also forms a partnership that works well.
Great means were deployed for the decorations and the accessories in order to confer on the whole an impression of tale. In this chapter, it is successful. But at a time when the themes Francis Veber nailed in the original film are even more heightened, we were still hoping for something a little less innocuous.
Indoors
Comedy
The new toy
James Huth
With Jamel Debbouze, Simon Faliu, Daniel Auteuil
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