Happiness Is in the Field

1995 French film

1995 (1995)

Running time

106 minCountryFranceLanguageFrenchBudget$10.2 millionBox office$32.9 million^[1]

Happiness Is in the Field (French: Le bonheur est dans le pré) is a French comedy directed by Étienne Chatiliez in 1995.

Plot

Francis Bergeade, owner of a toilet seats and brushes factory in Dole, has just turned 65 and his life is a misery. Tax services are harassing him, his snobby wife Nicole despises him, and his daughter wants an expensive wedding. Francis knows only moments of relief while lunching and dining in fancy restaurants with his best friend, car dealer Gérard. Stress becomes overwhelming and he suffers an attack from a blocked nerve.

During his convalescence, his family watch a reality television show about long-lost relationships and disappearances called Où es-tu? (Where are you?) featuring Spanish-born Dolorès Thivart and her daughters "Zig" and "Puce", producers of foie gras from Condom, who seek their husband and father, Michel, who vanished 27 years ago. Michel Thivart happens to be Francis's exact lookalike…

Cast

Michel Serrault as Francis Bergeade
Eddy Mitchell as Gérard Thulliez
Sabine Azéma as Nicole Bergeade
Carmen Maura as Dolores Thivart
François Morel as Pouillaud
Guilaine Londez as Zig Thivart
Daniel Russo as André
Catherine Jacob as Lolotte André
Alexandra London as Géraldine Bergeade
Eric Cantona as Lionel
Joël Cantona as Nono
Roger Gicquel as Charles
Yolande Moreau as Lucette
Serge Hazanavicius as Alexis Legoff
Virginie Darmon as Puce Thivart
Christophe Kourotchkine as Rémi
Jean Bousquet as Father Léonard
Isabelle Nanty as A Worker
Olivier Saladin as Car Showroom Customer

Reception

The film grossed $30.9 million in France, $0.6 million in the United States and Canada and $1.4 million in other markets for a worldwide gross of $32.9 million.^[1]^[2]