User Reviews

Just a fun, quirky, sweet film about two guys and the fly who helped them realise what friendship is all about.

A story of two simple-minded losers who discover a giant fly and try to train it to earn money. It's a completely nonsensical film, but at the same time hilarious and captivating. The main actors (Grégoire Ludig and David Marsais) form the French comic duo "Palmashow".

The similarity has been mentioned in other reviews - I only twigged on a second viewing when I noticed many similar behaviour traits. One of the weirdest films I've ever watched but great fun - hope they make a sequel, lots of potential crazy plots for an almost housetrained giant fly!

The movie begins slowly but ends in a funny way. Its action is never original but entertains, the actors are modest but overall is a fairly comical comedy.

In the great tradition of Quentin Dupieux's films, the absurd or the bizarre serve as a common thread in this film. I found the two main characters played by the Palmashow duo a bit too stupid and their hollow dialogues (finding some "Steak" gimmicks with their tchecks), but the fly and the other characters managed to captivate me. Special mention for Adèle Exarchopoulos in pathological crier, and India Hair that I always enjoy seeing. In summary the film and its effects are mastered, just as its staging is neat, it made me smile, I let myself be carried away in his singular universe as in all of Dupieux's films, which remind me of my desire to '' be a director and have confidence in the D system and ignore the conventions. not to be missed for fans of Mr oizo's achievements and for others out of curiosity.

This Is for sure one of the most original comedies i've watched in the last years.

Overall the movie Is just decent, good for few laughs, what gave me the greatest joy was right the ending scene, that alone will pay you off the whole ticket.

Being a father of a two year old and a 6 month old, I haven't had time for movies in quite a while and I'm an avid film buff. I finally had the chance to watch a film and picked this one from a friend's suggestion. Watching Mandibles made me feel like my old self again watching a foreign film and seeing one so unique and creative, yet a familiar buddy-comedy where they get themselves in a situation and we enjoy the journey. I loved watching this and the feeling I had wishing it wasn't going to end. I'm excited to see more from this director and for my kids to grow up and enjoy these films with me.

It almost doesn't matter what I write as a summary line and I mean no disrespect to Bill and Ted, their movies or their fans. You'll like this if you enjoyed the movie and you won't if you didn't ... or at least think I'm exaggerating. I really think this deserves the crown I'm giving it and while it is far out (big Fly anyone?), this is as a friend said, one the directors movies that kind of make sense/is coherent.

That may not mean much considering how crazy this still is. And it does not take prisoners or care about being sensible or being too aggresive. If this tickles your funny bone, you'll have quite the fun with it. Predictable in some way, but only if you think that way ... and a perfect ending! I almost wish there would be a remake (which has never happened with his movies yet)

Mandibles by Quentin Dubieux is more of what you should expect from filmmaker Dibieux who got known by Rubber - the serial killing tyre. He is dubious, if you catch my drift.

Mandibles is about to very simple guys, two childhood comrades, who are on a mission to deliver a suitcase, but they need a car. After stealing a car, an old big Mercedes, thy find a friendly domesticated giant fly (!) in the boot.

As in Rubber, nothing is really what you expect. This is simple people in simple lives - and all simple fun.

I can't help it, i find this incredibly fun. Some minor characters here steals the show, as they often do, and the references to Bill & Ted is not far off. Two knobheads out of their debt.

Quentin Depieux- best known for his absurd minimalist horror-comedy feature, Rubber- has returned with an equally absurd and minimalist summertime comedy, called Mandibules (Mandibles).

It has us following two down-on-their-luck slackers that are about to have a change of fortune, when one of the men is hired to transport a mysterious suitcase to a secret location for a cool $500.

To complete the job, he needs a vehicle.

So he steals one, before picking up his buddy from work...and heading off the adventure.

While driving, they start to hear odd noises emanating from the trunk.

So they stop to check what it might be...only to discover it is a giant fly, about the size of a large dog.

Thinking it's their oppourtunity to make it big...they ditch the delivery gig, in exchange for an off-the-fly plan to train said fly to carry out heists for them...which will, obviously, make them rich.

But things don't exactly go as planned...as we watch the trio attempt to navigate their way through a comedy of awkward circumstances...inevitably leading to the ultimate conclusion of the film...

Which must be noted, is a bit underwhelming.

In the end, it's all just another slice of surreality, that is very much akin to Rubber.

If you go into the film with any sort of expectations, I can almost assure you will be disappointed.

But if you go in without any knowledge of the plot, or any sort of expectations...then it's a fun enough little feature.

The fly is actually pretty cool.

I couldn't tell if it was a puppet, or animatronic device, but it's quite rad...even if it's capability for action are rather limited.

As it currently stands (6.6 when I am writing this), I'd have to say it's score is grossly overrated on imdb.

But it does set itself up for a potential sequel...which could very well fly off the charts.

So I'll give it a solid 5.5....cause TORO...

From the French filmmaker behind a sentient tire with telekinetic abilities comes two idiots finding a giant fly. Manu and Jean-Gab are a couple of good-natured but dimwitted buddies who, while on a delivery mission, discover, well, an enormous fly in the trunk of a stolen car.

Deciding to tame "her" in order to make a profit, the guys endure a series of misfortunes that ultimately brings them to the home of Cécile, who's on summer break with her brother Serge and friends Sandrine and Agnès. To say any more would be a spoiler.

The only ensemble member I recognize is Adèle Exarchopolous, of Blue Is the Warmest Colour, here she gives a performance I was not expecting but, oh my, it was bizarre. Director Quentin Dupieux has amassed a career of surreal but delightful comedies, the sole I've seen being the aforementioned Rubber. By that alone, I knew going in, I was getting a memorable experience. And I did.

"MANDIBLES rides on the unsophisticated, totally organic and genuine friendship between two life-long friends embodied by their "toro" gestures and a simplistic charm which implies that we are safe in the knowledge that although their quixotic idea tends to come a cropper, they will always have each other for company. Their bumbling, bungling forward progress is laden with mistakes, incompetence and misunderstandings, yet each time, they drolly play it by ear and can always land on their feet in one way or another, right until the end, just when we accept the obviousness of the situation, Dupieux ends the film with a big bang that perfectly alters this perspective, we are sent to a fool's paradise."

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This is a Quentin's Dupieux movie. I think that most of the viewers know what to expect because they are familiar with his work. His movies are like a parallel world, it's looking like ours, but it's not.

I believe that this is his funniest movie, there were some hilarious scenes, i have never laughed so much watching his previous movies. It's not coherent though, and there are not underlying social messages like in REALITY or INCREDIBLE BUT TRUE (Some previous movies of him). This is pure fun and entertainment. A fantasy comedy movie with a good ending. Dumb people caught in a surreal web and trying to find their way out (or maybe not, because they are too dumb!). In any case, if you know what to expect, you will like it too.

Adèle Exarchopoulos is a delight.

Mandibles was what I was hoping for. I wasn't expecting a multiverse Bill & Ted adventure by Samuel Beckett but I was thourghly pleased for the ride. It left me with a smile and a good time. Though it also left me hoping for a sequel or a mini series of the possibilities. I loved the anti-hero's and the fly was awesome.

I've watched it twice and found it even funnier the second time.

Watching the how something happened on a second viewing is always enjoyable with Quentin's films.

One thing I'd like to add is the film has the best focus pulling out side of cartoons from back in the day to tell jokes by directing sight.

The first time I saw Rubber, I hated it. The whole " No reason " philosophy didn't click at all with me. But it really sums up well Quentin Dupieux filmmaking process. And now, even though I'm still not a fan of Rubber for a number of reasons, I do embrace this philosophy and I care about every new Dupieux film since Réalité.

In each movie I saw from him, there is a insane idea, presented from the start, that draws you in and make you want to see more. Rubber's protagonist (a killer tire), Réalité and the quest for the greatest scream ever, Le Daim and the 100% deerskin jacket that drives the protagonist crazy. Au poste! Didn't have this one central idea but it still felt like a Dupieux movie, full of absurdities and with its own very strange universe.

Another key component of Dupieux's recent movies is a great main actor : Alain Chabat, Benoît Poelvoorde, Jean Dujardin ; they all gave life to their respective roles and dialogues, and to their respective movie overall.

So, I still haven't mentioned Mandibules since the start of this review, why ? Because I think this movie doesn't feel like it was made by Quentin Dupieux at all.

Yeah the giant fly seems quite insane on the paper, but its role in the film is really limited and gimmicky ; the movie could have been more or less the same without it, which is impossible to say about Rubber's tire or le Daim's jacket for instance.

What about the actors ? They aren't bad, I do like the main duo, but it feels pretty forced and unnatural at times, it isn't as flawless as the others I nammed earlier.

The movie is a bit absurd, a bit dumb in a funny way, but it is far away from what Dupieux usually makes. Through Mandibules I never thought once " WTF is this, WTF am I watching " which always happens multiple times with every other Dupieux movie. Mandibules felt like any forgettable comedy made by any random director.

Maybe he was tired (haha) to make niche movies and decided to remove this usual absurdity and madness to make it more accessible and conventionnal. And it seems, in France at least, the box-office tells us he was right to do so, sadly.

A movie about friendship and big fly. What a mix.

The south of France atmosphere in the background, and here we are on a ride for a crazy adventure.

You will meet some atypical characters, you will wonder, you will laugh.

Be ready it is a Quentin Dupieux movie.

I love comedies. I enjoy French comedies. This is one of the least funny comedies I've ever seen.

The audience was completely silent throughout. The story went no where and the jokes were non existent. When the disabled character appeared, I cringed. When she reappeared again and again, with the same joke, I was disappointed.

Avoid this film, it's not good.

If you wish to watch a movie of less than 1hour and half duration, have good laughs and enjoy the vibe of firendship. If you ask your company: ''are you aware of a nice comedy to watch and have a laugh''? The answer is Mandibles.

I love French cinema. But this movie is bad from start to finish. I don't know how it can get such a high overall rating.

Nonsense, I do not know what they call comedy to something so flat and also a little seasoned with unnecessary cruelty. With a little more evil it could even have become a Gore movie

I did not leave me anything! If anything bothersome. And a feeling of having wasted my money and my time

French festival curators should make sure to put in titles that are at least moderately good.

It has been described as cult cinema, I don't know why? Someone explain it to me!!

One of the most off-beat, idiot savant insane, yet bizarrely life affirming, emotionally edifying comedies I have seen in quite some time! Two likeable rapscallions fatefully form a singularly strange union with an inexplicably gigantic fly hidden in the boot of a stolen car, and it is not too long until these two amiably shambolic, slow-witted wastrels hatch a most audacious plan to remedy their current penury with the willing compliance of their adorable insectoid companion Dominique!

The exquisitely eccentric 'Mandibles' proves to be a no less beguilingly multi-faceted comedy than the delightful Dominique's lustrously red compound eyes! Like an especially warped Cheech and Chong comedy subversively reimagined by William S. Burroughs, the noisome buzz about inventive director Quentin Dupieux's deliciously DMT-phased interspecies fantasy is wholly deserved, charmingly acted by a talented cast, with some especially vivid work from the beautiful Adèle Exarchopoulos as the Stentorian, mesmerically unfiltered Agnès. The ear-wormingly wonderful score by Mentronomy is certainly no small part of the film's enormous charm, and, perhaps, one of the more remarkable aspects to Dupieux's fiendishly quirky Mise-en-scène is his seemingly effortless talent to rationalize even the most astronomically absurd scenario! 'Mandibles' flies boldly in the face of cinematic convention, giving far-out film fans just that little bit extra to chew on!

I wonder who read this script and thought to themselves - okay I'll budget this film..

I hope one day ill be able to forget what I saw.

Like some other reviewers, I was instantly reminded of Bill & Ted in a good way.

Hapless bros on a mad adventure, getting by with complete luck and coincidence. Loved the puppetry, too!

Lots of laugh out loud moments, though I gotta say the portrayal of the disabled lady was a bit offensive.

Mandibles, a French comedy film, is an absolute delight that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. With its offbeat humor, charming characters, and unexpected twists, this film takes viewers on a wild and memorable journey.

Directed by Quentin Dupieux, Mandibles tells the story of two friends who stumble upon a giant fly and embark on a bizarre adventure to train it for their own benefit. The film's absurd premise is executed with impeccable comedic timing, resulting in laugh-out-loud moments that never fail to hit their mark.

What sets Mandibles apart is its endearing characters, portrayed brilliantly by the cast. Their chemistry and comedic performances add depth and heart to the story, making us genuinely care about their misadventures.

Visually, the film embraces its eccentricity, showcasing imaginative cinematography and quirky production design. The vibrant color palette and whimsical settings enhance the overall experience, creating a visually engaging world.

The screenplay strikes a perfect balance between absurdity and genuine emotion. Amidst the hilarious gags, Mandibles explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and finding meaning in unexpected places.

In conclusion, Mandibles is a true gem of a comedy that will leave you grinning from start to finish. With its unique blend of humor, captivating characters, and imaginative storytelling, it earns a well-deserved five-star rating. If you're in the mood for a quirky and uproarious cinematic experience, Mandibles is a must-watch that will undoubtedly leave you buzzing with laughter and satisfaction.