‘Rumba therapy’: making up for lost time

Among the feel-good comedies (especially those made in France), those that have protagonists who enjoy old age stand out above all. Headlines like ‘Retirement: Impossible’, ‘My God, the kids are back!’ or ‘Dances with Life’ stood out on the Spanish bill, demonstrating that funny stories can also be conducted by people of a certain age. Franck Dubosc, one of the great figures of commercial gala comedy, tackles one of his projects in which he shows his gray hair without complexes. He does it with ‘rumba therapy’his second film as director, in which he also participates as screenwriter and producer.

Recognized in France for the saga ‘Camping’ and for films such as ‘All Inclusive’, ‘Friends’ Barbecue’, ‘Who’s who?’ or the French remake of “Father There’s Only One”; Dubosc breaks with the tone of his previous film as director, ‘On Wheels’. If in his debut the actor narrated a beautiful romantic comedy starring two middle-aged characters, now Dubosc escapes from the leading role; as well as the immature man, to incarnate a bus driver who has to change his life after suffering a heart attack.

The heart attack will make him want to reconnect with his daughter, who is a ballroom dancer, specializing in rumba. Sure, right from the start, it is understood that the protagonist will begin to receive dance lessons, as a sign of desire for change. Yes, the tape does not deviate from the pre-established script and meets all the requirements expected in a production of this cut. Now, let me follow the program almost to the letter It doesn’t stop us from enjoying an entertaining film, in which the charisma of its secondary characters once again stands out.

Beautiful feel-good production

Why Franck Dubosc is great as the charming grouch, but it’s his supporting roles that elevate both his performance and the story. Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Marie-Philomène Nga shine in particular, as the friends who are emerging in this dance apprenticeship. Mention to the stellar appearance of Michel Houellebecq, in one of the more normal roles he could have been seen in. Of course, applause also goes to Louna Espinosa, who ends up acting as a good counterpoint to Dubosc in the role of her wounded and distrustful daughter who sees the return of her father with suspicion.

Dubosc knows how to reformulate the commercial strategy of a mature man and a young woman, transforming them into father and daughter and take that relationship to a more familiar and more empathetic kind of bond. It gives it a certain originality, given that this type of relationship is not often seen in do-gooder productions, vindicating those men in their sixties who decide to enjoy life but in a way appropriate to their age.

The “rumba therapy” is a great example of a feel-good tape with a deeper background than its gentle nature makes it seem. Honest and humble in her intentions, she once again reclaims the position of this type of production on the big screen, being an enjoyable moment on the big screen.

Note: 7

The best: When the protagonist decides to start learning to dance.

Worse: Perhaps it lacks a little more verve in its narrative rhythm.