A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA/ Un p'tit truc en plus

France, 2024, 99 minutes, Colour.

Artus, Clovis Cornillac, Alice Belaidi, Celine Groussard, Marco Riso, Theophile Leroy.

Directed by Artus.

One of the most popular French films at the local box office in recent years. It is a story of a group of young disabled adults at a summer camp. The care characters are a professional cast. The disabled are themselves, an engaging group and some joyful activities. The complication is that a father and son burglars make their getaway in the group’s bus and are caught up, unwillingly, then willingly, in all the activities.

The film was written and directed by Artists, who also plays the central role of Paul.

1. The title, the focus on disabled adults and care for them? And the demand on Paul and his father?
2. The great success of the film at the French box office? French sensibilities and sensitivities?
3. The cast, Artus as writer, , director performer, comic style, serious? The care cast as professional actors? The disabled cast as themselves, the impact, the effect?
4. The situation with the jewel store robbery, the thieves, the satire at parking and getting a ticket and towaway? Desperate situation? The group on the bus?
5. The group, disabled, the caring staff, Alice in charge, Marco and his earnestness, Celine and her support? The range of the disabled men and women, characters, personalities, disabilities and coping? The irony of waiting for Sylvain, the mistaken identity for Paul and his father, the real Sylvain going off with the holidaymakers to merrymaking in Spain?
6. The expedition, the bonds, going to the Centre, the last year, the centre being sold, Alice and her fiance and the plans for America, the discussions with Celine, the fiance turning up, his insensitivity, leaving?
7. Paul and his father and their cover? The relationship between the two, the father dominating his son, the robberies? Paul expecting to be disabled, becoming Sylvain? Abilities, to impersonate, his activities, behaviour, helping the young men, their realising he was not disabled, the issue with Marie and friendships? Eventually his cooking?
8. The various personalities, the activities, on the river, the games, friendships?
9. Paul’s father, getting the nickname Orpi, tough, having to look after Baptiste, the loss of the ball, searching for him, the gradual bonding, their football discussions, the training? His becoming a surrogate father?

• The happy summer, the bonds between the group?
• The owner, the father threatening him about the sale, calling the police, their having to escape?
• Paul, deciding to give himself up, the attraction to Alice? In the court, his sentence, everybody supporting him, his release, going to work with the group and with Alice?
• The father, turning up, the gift to Baptiste of Rinaldo’s jersey, and his leaving the money to pay for the property?
• One of the best box office successes in French cinema?