L'Élève Ducobu (2011)
Directed by Philippe de Chauveron

Film Review

L'Elève Ducobu is the latest in a line of films to be adapted from a popular francophone comic book, this time one created by Belgian authors Zidrou and Godi.  The antics of the rebellious schoolboy Ducobu have delighted children in France and Belgium since 1992, with over two million albums sold to date.  Outside these countries Ducobu may not be as well-known as his famous predecessors Tintin and Astérix, but if his cinematic escapades take off that might well change.  Ducobu is every teacher's worst nightmare and the mischievous kid every child dreams of being, a rebel who, in his yellow and black striped pullover, looks like a nasty hornet in human form.

With one popular child-centric film under his belt - Neuilly sa mère! (2009) - Philippe de Chauveron was well placed to tackle another, once again teaming up with his brother Marc on the screenwriting.  Most of the comic situations are taken wholesale from the original Ducobu comic books, with the addition of a few new characters (notably Mademoiselle Rateau) to give the film some structure.  The rotund Vincent Claude makes an excellent Ducobu, a likeable scamp who has the face of an angel and the heart of a devil, but it is Elie Semoun who provides most of the comedy muscle, hilarious as the increasingly war-weary Latouche.

Whilst not the most sophisticated of comedies, L'Élève Ducobu manages to retain the anarchic sense of fun of Zidrou and Godi's original stories and provides an enjoyable diversion not only for its target audience (7 to 11 year-olds) but also adults of any age.  The film was followed by a sequel, Les Vacances de Ducobu (2012), but whilst this proved to be a box office hit it lacks the charm and infectious humour of the original.

Film Synopsis

The pupil from Hell, Ducobu once more manages to get himself expelled from school.  Driven to desperation, his father tells him he has one last chance: if he is sent away from his next school, Saint-Potache, he will be packed off to a boarding school.  Appalled by this terrible prospect, Ducobu must employ the most ingenious tricks ever devised.  At first, Ducobu's ruses pay off and he obtains the best marks in his class, much to the annoyance of Léonie, the school swot he copies without her knowing.  But his teacher, Monsieur Latouche, soon realises he is being duped and Ducobu's fall from grace will be swift and painful...