Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don't Come Back) - G
Common Sense Note
Parents should know that an adult is overheard talking about getting rid of Charlie Brown and friends. A raging fire threatens Linus and a little girl. Some aspects of French culture are shown.
Families who see this film might discuss what a stereotype is and why films use them. Did the film really show what France, and French people, are like? How did the story benefit from stereotypes? How could it have been better if there were less stereotyping?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Common Sense Media
Rural France has never seemed more threatening than when seen through the eyes of Charlie Brown and friends in this peculiar feature length film.
The Peanuts are invited to be exchange students in a small town in France.
Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy move into the Chateau of the Bad Neighbor, while Peppermint Patty and Marcy stay with Pierre. He warns them about the Baron, the Chateau's owner, who's feared by everyone in the neighborhood.
This film is a xenophobe's vision of rural France, complete with a twisted baron lurking inside a moldering chateau. The details of the story are weird: Poor Charlie Brown and Linus are forced to sleep outside in a thunderstorm, and are threatened by a sinister Baron who's willing to go to any length to get rid of them. They're also trapped in a raging fire, while Snoopy capers about with an old fashioned fire engine. None of this will reassure younger viewers about life abroad, and older kids may not find it very entertaining.
There are some funny moments here, especially when Marcy prattles on in what appears to be highly colloquial French. Unfortunately for the audience, her dialogue isn't subtitled, so kids may have a hard time understanding her. Peppermint Patty's misunderstanding of Pierre's interest is amusing, too. Snoopy turns up in various crowd-pleasing disguises, as well, but the story remains too strange and scary for its intended audience.
Young Francophiles should try one of the fine animated Madeline videos, such as Madeline and the Gypsies. For more Charlie Brown, take a look at He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown.
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Social BehaviorThis film is a xenophobe's vision of rural France. None of this will reassure young viewers about life abroad. |
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