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54 of 57 found the following review helpful:
 Rebirth Under The Spanish SunSep 15, 2003
In the tradition of many French films, L'Auberge Espagnole is a warm,well written, coming of age and semi autobiographical movie that is guaranteed to stay with you long after you watch it.Cedric Klapish does a wonderful job in telling a story that at first look does not seem to say much, but hides many realizations, which the viewer will subtley unravel one by one. The plot seems simple enough: Xavier a young French student (played wonderfully by Roman Duris)is preparing his future life and career in the EU commision thanks to his father's connections, provided that he acquires a masters degrees in Spanish economics. He goes to Barcelona,leaving his girlfriend behind (Amelie's Audrey Tatou),and after staying with a French couple he meets at the airport, he finally gets a room in a flat he shares with others European students,from Italy, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and England.He is estatic about his new lodgings and the good vibes he gets from it, little does he know that his life is about to change forever from that moment on.
His plans for a secure career, and his mundane and sheltered life comes gradually under attack from his experiences with his roommates in a foreign city he comes to love: An affair with the wife of a French doctor (the excellent Judith Godreche)the same couple he stayed with on his arrival,his lesson of seduction by a lesbian (the gorgeous Cecile de France),who becomes his best friend, a friendship first sealed by their common love of the music of Ali Fakre Toure (I thought what an original way to seal a friendship!),and the love of life in all its colours he soon discovers.
The core of the film is not about some Europeans getting together in the spirit of a new Europe, with all their cultural differences and habits, it is rather about a young man who finally discovers who he really is and what he wants from life! Barcelona could be London or Paris or anywhere else for that matter, and the students could have been from any nationality, it does not matter as much as the fact that it is about a journey of self discovery and change, this is what makes the film a masterpiece.
I first thought that there were too many characters in the film which could have easily done without, especially that some students, like the Italian, German and Danish characters are more than extras and not quite developped, but by the end of the film, you do understand why Klapish wrote them all.
Apart from Duris's charater, I thought the English characters were well written and provide most of the humour in the film (brilliantly played by Kelly Reilly and Kevin Bishop).It is always interesting to see how the English are seen and portrayed in French films, and vice versa-The love/hate relationship of the two countries is legendary ever since William the Conqueror woke up one morning and decided to have Fish'n'Chips for lunch-but Klapish,although falling slightly in the cliche of the heavily drunk who can't take his drink, he has a sympathetic eye for the 'neighbors across the channel'.
Klapish's aversion of bureaucracy is very well emphasized: the fast camera shots of the EU corridors, the endless forms he has to fill, the men in grey suits who think they can tell a joke, a world that Xavier realizes he does not belong to.
So L'Auberge Espagnole is a movie about friendships, about self discovery and it is about rebirth, a film that should on no account be missed.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
A joyous mosaic of life in the European UnionFeb 26, 2004
By VCQ
"L'auberge espagnole" was playing at the time I lived in Spain (fall 2002), but somehow I never got around to seeing it. Now, more than a year later after returning home, this charming film made me realize how much I enjoyed my experiences studying in Spain, cherished my friendships with other Erasmus students, and relived the embarrassing "fish out of water" moments that made my stay so memorable.Directed by Cédric Klapisch, "L'auberge espagnole" tells the tale of Xavier (Romain Duris), a twentysomething Parisian studying economics. Xavier decides to spend a year at the Universitat de Barcelona as an Erasmus student (a university exchange between EU member countries), and along the way he meets an assortment of other European students, locals, and transplanted French (a local at a bar offers to teach him "puta madre" Spanish, which made me laugh out loud.) Xavier arrives in Barcelona disoriented and brokenhearted at having to leave his girlfriend and the comfort of familiarity behind. Weighted down by a myriad of bags (which brought back plenty of memories of my arriving in Spain similarly loaded down), he wanders the unfamiliar streets, alone and friendless, not speaking either language fluently (Castillano, the official language of Spain, and Catalán, the official language of Catalunya and Barcelona). After ditching the morose boarding accommodations provided by a friend of his hippie mother's, Xavier begins the grueling and expensive task of finding a flat. His search lands him in a flat with six other Erasmus students: Londoner Wendy (a noted clean freak), Aragonese Soledad, the gorgeous Italian Alessandro, Tobias from Germany, the Dane Lars, and latecomer Isabelle from Belgium. Slowly, Xavier adjusts to his new life: an utter lack of privacy, homesickness for his girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou from Amélie), studying, balanced with the occasional joint and night out clubbing. The seven flatmates generally get along, speaking with each other in English and Spanish. A wrench is thrown into the mix when Wendy's obnoxious brother William (Kevin Bishop) comes to spend two weeks with them and ends up offending everyone. Xavier also becomes infatuated with the wife of a French doctor working in Barcelona and the two begin an affair. Although he believes himself to be an adequate lover, Xavier is coached by the lesbian Isabelle on how to truly please a woman, and the result, as Xavier says, is "like something from the movies." The film is beautiful to look at, showcasing the architecture of Gaudí (Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell), the swaying palm trees, blue water and sandy beaches of Barcelona, and Paris at intervals as well. The film's humor is reflected in the editing, "you are here" labels, and special effects. The music is an upbeat mix of new and old that perfectly reflects modern Europe, including contributions by Radiohead, Ali Farka Toure, Vicente Amigo, Kouz-1, Daft Punk and the late Arthur Rubinstein. My only complaints would be the lack of extras (there was a made-for-TV documentary of the making of (or "making off" as you'll see in France and Spain) the film, European Confusion, not included here), and the rather high price. The DVD contains both the widescreen and fullscreen versions. Overall, a gem of a film that brought back many happy memories of living in Spain (Burgos, in my case) and made me homesick for the many wonderful people and experiences I had while living there (I hope to teach in Barcelona in the near future). ¡Viva España!
28 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Youth, Joy and PanacheJan 11, 2004
By Grady Harp
L'AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE is to films what 'Catcher in the Rye' is to books - a wonder-full romp through the coming of age of multinational youths who are simultaneously dissimilar and similar. The inception of the film is artful with extraordinary camera effects, gradually introducing all the characters we will encounter by means of clever frames within frames and woven words with images. The story is straightforward: Xavier is a bright Parisian boy (Romain Duris, who truly holds this film together), living with his hippie vegetarian mother, and under the influence of the 'adults' who counsel him to learn Spanish, get his MA in Barcelona, then return to Paris as an Economist versed in the Spanish market (remember the 'Graduate' and plastics?). With much anxiety over leaving his Paris, his native language, and his girlfriend (the always lovely Audrey Tautou), he flies to Barcelona. There he is befriended by a Neurologist (whose new wife is to become his paramour), and finally finds an apartment shared by 5 of the most refreshing youths ever gathered under one roof - German, Italian, British, Danish, Spanish, and now French. It is the intermingling of these lives that is the joy of the story and we are witness to their foibles, idiosyncrasies, national traits, bonding, affairs, and finally their influence on the refreshed Xavier's world view. After a year of social and intellectual and emotional learning, Xavier flies back to Paris to accept his "new life" as a boring economics executive, only to wake up and return to the city of joy - Barcelona, Spain. Each of this large cast is excellent, drawing portraits of people we know so well by the end of the that WE could (or could wish to) have as roommates. The photography captures the beauty of Barcelona with lingering glimpses of Gaudi architecture, the ocean, and the vistas. But it is in the end the wonder capturing of our youth (or dreams of same) that makes this movie so special. Highly recommended!
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 The hodgepodge worksFeb 23, 2006
By M. Hein
Having Audrey Tautou as the central cover character is deceptive; she is a side character at best. So if you chose this movie in search of another Amelie, you will be disappointed.
That said, this movie was wonderfully well done and will resonate with most who have or are going through a crossroads in her/his life. Essentially the plot is about self discovery, leaving home in Paris for Barcelona, going to school, living life, breaking ties and reasserting them.
The political element of the movie reflects on the hodgepodge Europe is becoming due to the EU. It is not a negative analysis. Instead, it shows a melting pot akin to America's but with no dominant language and one melding culture. The movie itself is in French, English and Spanish, intermixed and about a 1/3 of the movie given to each.
Barcelona sceney will likely provoke online pricing of a trip there...so beware.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
I'm addicted to this filmMar 11, 2004
L'Auberge Espagnole is a story of life, not of shoot them up kill the bad guy type at all. I love this film, its about life, love and friendship, and taking off or not; doing what you really want to do, not what society dictates, love life, and absorb the experiences of every one you meet and experience into your own personality. I've watched this film about 20 times so far and I still catch something new. Romain Duris -Xavier-(Le Divorce) does a great job as the student from France finding out who he is in life. The rest of the international exchange students (the program is called Erasmus) add so much to the film, you will find yourself wanting to see it again and again. Life in Europe, the fun, culture and music lets you enjoy the experience as it you are there. (I even bought the sound track) Cristina Brondo (the Spanish student from Tarragona) is absolutely beautiful in this as she adds the sanity to the group. Audrey Tautou -Martine- plays Xavier's frustrated girlfriend in France, that seems to nag Xavier back to the past, but Xavier works that out (see the film). Kevin Bishop -William- Plays the obnoxious brother of Wendy, from the UK, and his attitude really pisses off the group as he stays visiting with his sister for a bit. His explanation of the fly's mating ritual is really funny, and by his sacrificing himself for his sister gets him the respect of the group. So you have to appreciate everyone, since we all have qualities that make up a complete loving human race. This is the best flick I've seen since Run Lola Run and Amelie, although Audrey Tautou plays a very different part in this film. So what are you waiting for? Get the Film!!
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