L'Auberge Espagnole (Pot Luck)(Euro Pudding)(The Spanish Apartment) (2002)

76% of critics liked it
(89 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(33,325 ratings)

A man eager to learn Spanish gets an education he wasn't expecting in this comedy drama. Xavier (Romain Duris) is a French economics student who is nearing the completion of his degree and is looking for work. Xavier's father arranges for him to meet a ranking member of the Ministry of Finance, who… More A man eager to learn Spanish gets an education he wasn't expecting in this comedy drama. Xavier (Romain Duris) is a French economics student who is nearing the completion of his degree and is looking for work. Xavier's father arranges for him to meet a ranking member of the Ministry of Finance, who makes him an offer -- he can give him a good job, but only under the condition that he learn to speak Spanish. Determined not to pass up the opportunity, Xavier enrolls in a language program in Barcelona, despite the misgivings of his girlfriend, Martine (Audrey Tautou). Upon his arrival, Xavier moves into a large house shared by a large group of students from all over Europe. Xavier finds that his ideas and attitudes are challenged in a positive way by the diverse personalities of his housemates, and that his loyalty to Martine is tested by his attraction to Anne-Sophie (Judith Godrèche), a sweet but lonesome woman from France who has been away from her husband for too long. After a visit, most of Xavier's roommates decide they don't much care for Martine and Xavier gets advice on seducing Anne-Sophie from an unexpected source -- Isabelle (Cécile de France), a footloose lesbian living in the house. L'Auberge Espagnole received its world premier at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to earn prizes at the 2002 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the 2003 Lumière Awards, and the 2003 César Awards. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Cédric Klapisch
Written By: Cédric Klapisch
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: May 16, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Dec 23, 2003
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Yet another example of writer/director Klapisch's way of finding fresh new insights within the most mundane of circumstances.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
A film whose limitations are the same as its appeal: It's a bauble.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
It features four of the most erotically and emotionally delectable female performances I have seen in one film this year.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Much of the charm of this film is in its understanding of the great fluidity of romantic relationships -- especially before people decide to settle down.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
All in all, Klapisch's style approximates the excitement of the French New Wave of the late 1950s.
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic
It's hard to complain about a film that combines Paris and the city in the world that is most like it.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
fun, irresistibly charming and very genuinely felt
Thomas Peyser, Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)
A Big Mac with a mineral water chaser.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
[Its] cheery characters are ultimately stuck wending their way through wackily contrived scenarios fit for a sitcom.
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
L'auberge espagnole or The Spanish apartment is a lovable, cozy mess just like its architectural setting.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...not a difficult movie to criticize, [but] a hard movie not to like.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Frothy ensemble comedy/romance flick.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
European Union navel-gazing plus braying youth worship equals L' Auberge Espagnol.
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
There isn't enough story or character development to make this into the breathtaking escapade Klapisch seems to have aspired to.
Kent Turner, Film-Forward.com
The episodic L'auberge Espangnole is like a younger and European version of Friends.
George Wu, culturevulture.net
Deft, exhilarating comedy
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Não funciona apenas como retrato da globalização e do choque de culturas, mas também como a jornada pessoal de um jovem rumo à definição de sua vida

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

What a lovely, charming, funny and touching film about friendship and love that will please even more those who know what it is like to be abroad in the same situation, like myself. The poignant story portrays with great sincerity the insecurities and fears of youth through a group of… More
What a lovely, charming, funny and touching film about friendship and love that will please even more those who know what it is like to be abroad in the same situation, like myself. The poignant story portrays with great sincerity the insecurities and fears of youth through a group of characters we easily identify with and care about.
Cassandra M

At first sight, this film is a lively and engaging comedy, particularly for anybody familiar with the world of Erasmus students. Klapisch has undoubtedly succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of the multi-national student squat, creating an immediately interesting cultural crossroads,… More
At first sight, this film is a lively and engaging comedy, particularly for anybody familiar with the world of Erasmus students. Klapisch has undoubtedly succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of the multi-national student squat, creating an immediately interesting cultural crossroads, and of course a premise for lots of stereotyped jokes. And what trendier place for it all to take place than Barcelona ? The film's sparky characterisation (particularly Wendy zi English and her 'geezer' of a brother) proves that Klapish has observed intently the lifestyle and behaviour of today's European student travelers. However, this does not hide a handful of gaping holes in the plot, which are easily noticeable on a second viewing of the film. L'auberge espagnole falls arms flailing into the voice-over trap: drastic over-use throughout. Whether Klapisch intended to give a bird's eye view of the action, or simply to speed up the pace of the film at times, the result of too much voice-over is that Xavier's character loses its authenticity. Romain Duris's acting is wooden - particularly with so many beautiful females around. As for Judith Godreche, she plays a non-starter of a part. Her character has no proper relationship with either of her men. Klapish has paid attention to some nice little details. A quick shot of a sandal's foot on a marble staircase, William the English lad's upturned collar, and a TV clip of the Catalan sport of human tower-building, for example. However these little gems cannot hide flagrant over-editing which stagger the flow of the film and dissolve any feeling of resolution at the end. The frantic city running scene à la 007 is ridiculous: why ALL the house mates have to return so suddenly remains a mystery. Some say this film makes political reference to the leading European powers. I think that it just wants to be a light entertaining comedy: it nearly fails even to be that !
Leigh R

Weird... but good
Ross C

A movie I can really identify with about a bunch of Erasmus students from across Europe sharing a house and life in Barcelona. It avoids being corny, and presents a funny, entertaining depiction of international university life, and the self-development of the characters and their… More
A movie I can really identify with about a bunch of Erasmus students from across Europe sharing a house and life in Barcelona. It avoids being corny, and presents a funny, entertaining depiction of international university life, and the self-development of the characters and their national stereotypes.
Stefanie C

average movie with a great ending.
Hal M

A frivolously lightweight movie with TV sitcom-quality dialogue and shallow, hammy acting. It was applauded in some circles because it advances Multiculturalist and Gay Agenda values. Maybe it's therefore your DUTY to watch this. But some people will find it annoying at best,… More
A frivolously lightweight movie with TV sitcom-quality dialogue and shallow, hammy acting. It was applauded in some circles because it advances Multiculturalist and Gay Agenda values. Maybe it's therefore your DUTY to watch this. But some people will find it annoying at best, offensive at worst.
Daniel P

A joyous, funny, clever and unexpectedly moving film - an instant favorite - and another masterpiece from Cédric Klapisch. A celebration of Europe and a melting pot of different cultures, languages and personalities, with every one of the expertly detailed characters interesting and… More
A joyous, funny, clever and unexpectedly moving film - an instant favorite - and another masterpiece from Cédric Klapisch. A celebration of Europe and a melting pot of different cultures, languages and personalities, with every one of the expertly detailed characters interesting and someone you would love to know. The cast - especially Romain Duris who can do no wrong, and Kelly Reilly who is effortlessly charming as well as amusingly neurotic - are superb across the board. Consistently inventive technically, artistically and intellectually. J'adore.
meril l

An enjoyable look at a group of international students getting along and having a great time... idyllic, eh?
Leo L

Absolutely interesting! Since childhood, Xavier dreamt of becoming a writer. As an adult, his dream becomes a bit outward and decides to take an economics course in Barcelona that would enable him to fluently speak Spanish, and secure a similar job position that his father once… More
Absolutely interesting! Since childhood, Xavier dreamt of becoming a writer. As an adult, his dream becomes a bit outward and decides to take an economics course in Barcelona that would enable him to fluently speak Spanish, and secure a similar job position that his father once possessed. Leaving behind his girlfriend Martine, he joins a group of fellow international students living in an apartment. His first conversation begins in the airport when he meets, and befriends, a couple. His experiences create a havoc of ups and downs that would later expend a generous amount of writing materials. Great cast- Romain Duris, Judith Godrèche, Cécile De France, Audrey Tautou, Kelly Reilly, Frederico D'Anna, Barnaby Metschurat, and Cristina Brondo. Worthy!
Sunil J

The main character is a bit of a douche but I really liked the other characters.
Janice :

Cute and mellow.