It smells of Christmas tree at Santa Claus. As the holidays approach, the 92,000 elves, employees of its toy factory, are victims of a burn-out. On the way to civilization to find them vitamins and restart the machine, the bearded man ends up in Pigalle, in a family of sores.
There is only Alain Chabat in France to dare this type of family entertainment, which Americans love, mixing humor and fantasy. The storytelling part, with its borrowings from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and its SFR advertising enchantment, leaves something to be desired. But the contemporary comedy, which revolves around overworked parents and nicely portrayed by Pio Marmaï and Golshifteh Farahani, is charming enough.
In the midst of all this, the endearing Chabat as Santa Claus who discovers capitalism and the true nature of children (whom he only knew when they were asleep) brings his air of delight from the crèche, his priceless Gotlib-style puns and his soul of an eternal kid transforming everything he touches into a big playground.
Sunday December 25 at 9:10 p.m. on France 2. French comedy by Alain Chabat (2017). With Alain Chabat, Pio Marmaï, Golshifteh Farahani. 1h35.
