Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Karl Ericsson De Funès, just like Bob Hope Before him, did not age gracefully or at least the scripts and stories to his films did not. I do not know exactly when the change occurred but it was some time during or after the film "The Grand Restaurant", where the first half is superb and the second half a catastrophe. Slapstick did not suit Funès. He was best when there was a tight script within which his madness could unfold as in the Fantomas-films or "Le Corniaud", which is probably the best film he participated in. At his best, Funès was quite unique and he did not steal anything from any other comedian as, for instance, Woody Allen did from Bob Hope although they politically could hardly be further apart. Funès was intense and he cannot be blamed for that he could not keep up until the very end, which probably came premature because of his intensity. His early work has wrongfully been put aside as less important but I find that these beginnings were especially charming. It's his later work that often was disappointing as, for instance, this film. I recently saw "Hibernatus" and that was still OK although it belongs to his later work.

Quadruplex This is undoubtedly one of the better flicks with de Funès. But the writers sacrificed logic for cheap laughs. After a while, that gets very annoying.Examples? The scene in the filthy restaurant. "Duchemin", disguised as American tourist, is not only served the lousiest food. He also witnesses numerous yucky incidents in the kitchen. The only possible reaction for a restaurant critic would have been to leave the scene immediately and alert the board of health.But for a few, not overly funny jokes, the plot stays in the restaurant. What a riot...When Duchemin and his son intrude the Tricatel factory, we are lured to believe that there, chickens, fish and lettuce are made from rubber. That may look funny, but it totally undermines Duchemin's quest for excellent food. It would have made more sense if they had found yucky conditions, low-grade ingredients etc. But this would not have induced as many cheap laughs as plastic chicken - unless the writers would have bothered to come up with a plot that is slightly more credible AND funny.If "L'aile ou la cuisse" is on TV for free and you have nothing better to do: watch it. If your mother tongue isn't French and you want to study the language: get a DVD (provided the french version is on it).But don't expect an overly clever story...

Andrew Hobson As timely today as it was when it was released over 30 years ago, this comedy stars French legend Louis de Funes (of "Les Gendarmes" fame) as Charles Duchemin, the owner of a restaurant guide. The film is very funny indeed, with some inspired moments. Can be enjoyed by old and young alike.The best part of the film is when De Funes gets dressed up and pretends to be a rude American tourist (or an old lady) in order not to be recognised whilst sampling the food for his famous restaurant guide.Coluche is good as De Funes' son, and Ann Zacharias, who plays the secretary, is extremely attractive.

Nicholas Rhodes An excellent comedy which deals with the theme of traditional cuisine versus industrial cuisine. Traditional is personified by the Guide Duchemin (skit on Guide Michelin ) and industrial cuisine by Tricatel ( which I must assume is a skit on Jacques BOREL ) whose awesome director was played by Julien Guiomar. Louis de Funès plays the Michelin man who in secret and under various disguises tests out restaurants who in spite of this recognise who it is. Duchemin ( DE FUNES ) has a son (played by the late great French comedian Michel Colucci or "Coluche" who gives the impression of carrying on in the same line as his father but in reality is more interested in circus-clowning ! All actors give magnificent performances and the plot is brilliant. A most enjoyable moment to be spent, and now it's available on DVD in France at rock-bottom price !