Rent Couscous (2007)

3.3 of 5 from 333 ratings
2h 28min
Rent Couscous (aka La graine et le mulet) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
This internationally acclaimed, warm and entertaining family drama tells the story of Slimane, a sixty-something North African immigrant who has just been laid off after a lifetime's toil at a shipyard in the French Mediterranean port of Sete. Against considerable odds, Slimane determines to realise his long-held dream of opening a couscous restaurant, but to do so must rally the support of his extended family including his ex-wife, children, mistress and her hot-headed daughter. Eventually the make-or-break opening night arrives and the scene is set for a dramatic and nail-bitingly tense finale.
Featuring some of the most mouthwatering scenes of food and feasting ever committed to celluloid, this superbly performed, intimate and vividly realised film is an engrossing tale of hope, cultural identity and familial rivalries.
Actors:
Habib Boufares, , Farida Benkhetache, , , , , , Abelkader Djeloulli, , , , , Mohamed Benabdeslem, Hatika Karaoui, Henri Rodriguez, Nadia Taoul, , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Claude Berri
Writers:
Abdellatif Kechiche
Aka:
La graine et le mulet
Studio:
Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
Genres:
Drama
Countries:
France
Awards:

2007 Venice Film Festival Special Jury Prize Ex-aequo

2007 Venice Film Festival Marcello Mastroianni Award

BBFC:
Release Date:
27/10/2008
Run Time:
148 minutes
Languages:
French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Interview With Abdellatif Kechiche
  • Theatrical Trailer
BBFC:
Release Date:
Unknown
Run Time:
152 minutes
Languages:
French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French LPCM Stereo
Subtitles:
English
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Interview with Hafsia Herzi
  • "Sueur" Featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Interview with Abdellatif Kechiche
  • The Musicians and Bouraouia Marzouk Featurette

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Reviews (5) of Couscous

god awful.......2 1/2 hours you wont get back - Couscous review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
02/03/2009

A very short review of this film, in total contrast with the actual film which is a meandering 2 1/2 hours long.

Nothing really happens......for 2 1/2 hours nothing actually happens of interest. The characters, while excellently acted are irritating to say the least, even the lead who we are supposed to feel sorry for. They argue and bicker for 15 minutes at a time, usually about potty training, affairs or couscous. And so on to the couscous which is like a centerpiece to this film. The mother figure is suppose to cook the best couscous ever. Well it looks awful, soggy veg on dry couscous so when the characters talk about how delicious it is its really hard to believe. And the characters do talk about it alot, usually at the same time as shovelling it in their mouths....lots of open mouths stuffed with this food, and lots of dribbles down chins.....rank.

I wont tell you about the story because its really not there. Lots of awful eating habits and lots of boring bickering.

I sat through it all expecting a big pay-off at the end..........silly me! wasted a saturday night on this!!!!!!

Avoid!!

6 out of 12 members found this review helpful.

French Food Drama - Couscous review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
23/03/2009

Couscous is a fine example of the family drama that the French seem to produce without too much effort. It follows the complex life of an ageing boat worker who slowly realises that his particular skills will no longer be able to provide for his extended family. His life is a messy web of relationships and friends, most of whom you'll get to meet during the course of the film. In fact you feel as if you are on first names with most of the town by the finale. Food is evident everywhere and the family meal is vitally important, soon you'll feel stuffed from watching fish and couscous being eaten. The film length also feels bloated, warranting a decent edit, as when the end comes its almost a relief, when Couscous deserves better. Moderation is called for, too much of a good thing is never successful.

3 out of 5 members found this review helpful.

Interesting family dynamics - Couscous review by AER

Spoiler Alert
27/05/2021

Engrossing film about a fractured family who come together to help their taciturn patriarch realise a long held dream. Long, involving scenes with lots of dialogue are emblematic of this director's films (see Mekhtoub My Love / Blue is the Warmeest Colour) and Couscous is no different. Only one scene needed the editor to chop it, but ultimately the long scenes do this story a good service. It's interesting how food can bring people together and serve as a metaphor for family dynamics in film. The ending is worth sticking around for. Recommended - ignore the review that moans on about 'dry couscous'.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

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