The Brats

Thomas, newly engaged, crosses paths with his future father in law, Gilbert, a man who has been married for three decades to Suzanne and still feels the sting of youth past. Gilbert argues that his own marriage kept him from real living and whispers that Thomas might be making a mistake. He urges Thomas to rethink the wedding to Lola and even to drop other plans in his life. In a bid to prove that their best years aren’t behind them, the two men dive into a reckless phase of pretending to be carefree troublemakers. They chase wild adventures and the illusion that true freedom lies beyond responsibility, with consequences for those around them.

Released in 2013, The Brats is directed by Anthony Marciano and represents a French theatrical comedy. The screenplay comes from an original idea by Max Boublil, Noé Debré, and Mona Achache, with Alain Chabat as Gilbert and Boublil as Thomas.

Box office data for The Brats is not widely reported, and the film remains a modest performer. It found its strongest echo in France, where audiences connected with its light humor, while international numbers were more limited.

Though not a major international phenomenon, The Brats has a small cultural footprint in French comedy circles. Its humor comes from the clash between settled life and the lure of youth, delivered through sharp dialogue and the easy rapport between Alain Chabat and Max Boublil.

Critics praised the brisk pacing and its focus on marriage, responsibility, and the pull of reinvention. The film weighs the cost of chasing freedom against family ties and obligations, offering a warm, accessible look at men reassessing what it means to grow up.