La Famille Bélier (2014) film later remade as CODA

[BluBonnet]

So I did a search and it seems there is no thread for La Famille Bélier, the French movie that was remade as CODA.

There seems to be no domestic release for it, but I'm hoping that the success of CODA will perhaps make it possible for the movie to get a proper release in the US.

For those who've watched it already - what did you think? For those who've imported a foreign blu-ray - which version is best?

[The Admiral]

I haven't seen CODA so I can't compare, but I absolutely hated La Famille Bêlier. I thought it was just rude and not funny at all. Your mileage may vary, of course.

[Cremildo]

CODA is such an okay-at-best movie that it doesn't entice me to watch the original.

[BluBonnet]

I'm speechless!

[Poya]

Originally Posted by The Admiral

I haven't seen CODA so I can't compare, but I absolutely hated La Famille Bêlier. I thought it was just rude and not funny at all. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

[LordoftheRings]

Une bande annonce HD ...

La Famille Bélier – Bande annonce HD - YouTube

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by Poya

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

Of all the French films, they chose to remake that one...
I did notice Will Smith's attempt at remaking La Gifle, mind you. Still a fail, though

[rsp_clark]

Originally Posted by Poya

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

"Shot-for-shot"? What?
The French movie is way more light-hearted and funny and the song in the end is a lot more emotional (and thematically more appropriate).

"Bélier" opened in theaters here in Brazil in December 2014 and I remember going to a packed show where EVERYBODY was sobbing uncontrollably in the end.

It was then released on Blu-ray and DVD. I bought the Blu-ray, showed it to my family, and everyone loved the movie - and sobbed uncontrollably.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Poya

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

People before the Oscars said some were exaggerating how similar the movies are, and that CODA is the better movie with stronger acting and more authentic feeling.

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by rsp_clark

"Shot-for-shot"? What?
The French movie is way more light-hearted and funny and the song in the end is a lot more emotional (and thematically more appropriate).

"Bélier" opened in theaters here in Brazil in December 2014 and I remember going to a packed show where EVERYBODY was sobbing uncontrollably in the end.

It was then released on Blu-ray and DVD. I bought the Blu-ray, showed it to my family, and everyone loved the movie - and sobbed uncontrollably.

I did sob at the end too, but only because I couldn't go back in time and choose to watch another film instead of that one But I'm clearly in the minority - I guess I'm just not receptive to that kind of humour and "emotion".

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

People before the Oscars said some were exaggerating how similar the movies are, and that CODA is the better movie with stronger acting and more authentic feeling.

I just ordered a HK Blu-ray of La Famille Belier with English subtitles, so I'll give it a look and see how it compares.

From what I've read about the original, the parents are played by actors who aren't deaf. That's not necessarily a knock on the film, but it looks like they went for more authenticity with CODA.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Poya

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

No it isn't, stop trolling dude, it's embarrassing. We all know how bitter you are that it won, but trolling like this isn't going to change anything, it just makes you look bad.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by The Admiral

Of all the French films, they chose to remake that one...

I suggest you watch CODA and judge for yourself. I found nothing rude or offensive about it.

And just so everyone knows, the original film was originally bought by Lionsgate with remake rights, but they did nothing with it, so the producers actually bought it back from them, and they are the ones that went forward with a US adaptation, this time trying to right their wrongs, and casting the three deaf characters with actual deaf actors. This isn't just some cheap cash grab remake, it is about bringing the story to a wider audience, which the original, for one reason or another was unable to do. The producers plan a broadway adaptation next. I doubt the producers ever expected it to garner the reception it did at Sundance, and Apple acquiring it for a record $25 million sum. It very well could have flown under the radar like so many great indie films, but it got momentum at the right times, and well, the rest is history.

[slumcat]

Originally Posted by Poya

Then you're not gonna like CODA. It's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

Wow that's shocking. She won an Adapted Screenplay Academy award for it. Where was her merit if she just copied everything shot for shot.

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I suggest you watch CODA and judge for yourself. I found nothing rude or offensive about it.

And just so everyone knows, the original film was originally bought by Lionsgate with remake rights, but they did nothing with it, so the producers actually bought it back from them, and they are the ones that went forward with a US adaptation, this time trying to right their wrongs, and casting the three deaf characters with actual deaf actors. This isn't just some cheap cash grab remake, it is about bringing the story to a wider audience, which the original, for one reason or another was unable to do. The producers plan a broadway adaptation next. I doubt the producers ever expected it to garner the reception it did at Sundance, and Apple acquiring it for a record $25 million sum. It very well could have flown under the radar like so many great indie films, but it got momentum at the right times, and well, the rest is history.

You're selling it really well, I have to say! I guess I'll pick it up at some point to see if it can make me get past my dislike of the original. I didn't like most of the actors in the original - so, I guess there can only be at least some improvement in that department.