Most of the disasters and triumphs that follow can be predicted well in advance. But the film brings them off with panache, particularly when it transforms into the fully fledged musical that it should have been all along.

This is the sort of sentimental, nostalgic film that constitutes a pleasant night at the movies -- it's churlish to protest that it could have been much more.

Barratier loves these people, this place, this period. The film is mostly confection, it's true, but of a very high order.

Flawed, yet entertaining and uplifting.