The treasure of Little Nicolas | Sweet nostalgia ★★★

When Little Nicolas’ father tells him that he has a promotion and that the family is going to move to the south of France, disaster strikes. How will he manage to live without his friends? Nicolas and his friends then embark on a quest for treasure to prevent the move.

Olivia Levy
The Press

We rediscover with pleasure and nostalgia the universe of Petit Nicolas, in this third opus of the adventures of this friendly schoolboy created by René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé. Director Julien Rappeneau remains faithful to the tone of the work, even if he co-wrote an original story with screenwriter Mathias Gavarry.

The film takes a gentle look at childhood and, even if it lacks a bit of rhythm at the start, it celebrates friendship and solidarity. The merry band of friends, nicknamed Les Invincibles, will support Nicolas at all costs in his misadventures to prevent the family from moving, an announcement that creates a real commotion in the young boy. Because how will he manage without Clotaire’s nonsense? The greediness of Alceste for whom croissants are sacred? It’s the quest to prevent the unthinkable.

The film is set in 1960s France, which gives it a delightfully retro feel. The characters are funny and endearing; the parents played by Jean-Paul Rouve and Audrey Lamy, Jean-Pierre Darroussin as a school director with puns that fall flat, the boss of Nicolas’ father, played by Pierre Arditi, not to mention the children, irresistible with Ilan Debrabant as Nicholas.

The treasure of Little Nicolas is a film full of tenderness, moving, which comes out just in time for spring break and which will make young and old smile.

On video on demand and in theaters

Family comedy

The treasure of Little Nicolas

Julien Rappeneau

With Jean-Paul Rouve, Audrey Lamy, Ilan Debrabant, Jean-Pierre Darroussin

1:42

★★★