A Comedy? with two completely abusing parents torturing their children to feed their sick egos? No, this is not comedy. This should be a drama ending with both parents in prison where they belong.

There is nothing funny in harming your children, physically and mentally for your personal issues. What genius had the idea of making a "slapstick" comedy on children abuse by their parents? Real people are not cartoons. This is not a topic for laughs.

I watched the movie expected the children to be finally separated from those unfit to be parents, but no, the film ends with them expecting a 4th child..

Sigh...

Since most comedies are dumb and dumber I wait for positive word of mouth (from reliable viewers) to watch one. Papa ou Maman did quite well at the box-office and someone told me it was funny so I eventually checked it, my expectations set very low since comedy is seen by producers as a safe bet (to sell the project) rather than a fine challenge (to make a fine movie, discover talent, start a franchise...).

Papa ou Maman sports an enjoyable dose of slapstick, yet it doesn't go all the way to slapstick. That is its big flaw: many situations are just plain crazy but in between the main characters just seems ordinary, too ordinary, bordering boring. Be it a writing or producing defect, the result is a movie lacking rhythm and just stretched to fill the compulsory 85min.

So I'd say it was a fine surprise for someone expecting nothing, but it is basically just an interesting blueprint for remake. An English remake that would dare to go slapstick, with 2 furious parents, 2 spoilt brats and 1 fine kid.

Even while writing this review I am still grinning about this wonderfully funny story.

The good: terrific funny story, original true to life dialogues, great acting performances. Perfect balance between comedy and true to life (lighthearted) drama.

Any bad? Not really anything I can think of.

The story: a couple is out of love for each other, although they dont hate each other and they havent cheated on each other. They decide to divorce and stay good friends. Even better, they say that divorcing is the happiest period of their lives. Are they for real or are they in total denial? Duh...

This story might sound weird, but the execution of this story is such a splendid true to life depiction of everything that happens when a couple goes through a divorce. What makes this movie special is that it is serious and funny simultaneously, that's a tightrope balancing act few directors get right. This one does!

A highly recommended warmhearted and funny movie about all the pitts and downfalls when divorcing your loved one...