Rated G

Directed by Steve Bendelack

Starring Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma De Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Karl Roden

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 4.5

Word of Warning: If you don’t enjoy physical, slapstick comedy, this may not be the movie for you, but if the Three Stooges make you giggle, you’ll love this movie.

I have been a fan of Mr. Bean since childhood. He’s the reason I knew about mini coopers before everyone thought they were a cool car. I’m actually a huge fan of Rowan Atkinson. During summer breaks my little brother and I use to watch marathons of “Blackadder” on PBS. I believe Atkinson to be a comic genius.

I am a likely candidate to love Mr. Bean movies. However, the first Mr. Bean movie, “Bean” (1997), was a huge disappointment. So when “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” hit theaters last year I avoided it. That was a mistake. When I finally saw this film on DVD, I loved it.

Unlike the first Bean flick, this movie is much more like his skits, just a little longer (1 hr 28 min). The plot involves Mr. Bean winning a trip to the South of France. He also wins a camcorder, so that he can document his travels. Mr. Bean dreams of sitting in the soft sands on the French Riviera, but in true Bean style, his dream is thwarted at every turn. It takes poor Mr. Bean quite awhile to find his way to the beach as he loses his passport and gains a young ward.

This movie is filled with side-splitting scenes (one memorable scene involves Bean trying to eat French cuisine). There are also beautiful scenes of France throughout, as well as the beautiful French actress Emma Du Caunes (you may remember her from 2007 Academy Award nominated film ”The Diving Bell & the Butterfly“).

“Mr. Bean’s Holiday” is Rowan Atkinson at his best.  It’s fun for the whole family and I highly recommend it.