Animal (1977)

Animal is a fizzy, daredevil French comedy that treats the movie business like a circus and then gleefully swings from the trapeze—often literally. Jean-Paul Belmondo brings his irresistible mix of charm and athletic bravado, turning every mishap into a wink at the audience, while Raquel Welch matches him with a cool, capable presence that keeps the romance from floating away on pure slapstick. Director Claude Zidi keeps the pace brisk and the vibe bright, stitching together backstage satire, mistaken-identity farce, and show-stopping stunt set pieces that feel like a love letter to practical, pre-CGI thrills. If you’re allergic to broad, old-school comedy and larger-than-life antics, it may be too much dessert—but if you want a breezy, charismatic crowd-pleaser with real physical comedy and movie-star electricity, this one earns its applause.

Animal is a broad, slapstick French star vehicle that’s clearly trying to celebrate stunt work and let Belmondo clown around with big set pieces and mistaken-identity chaos. When it’s focused on the physical comedy and daredevil sequences, it has real energy, and Raquel Welch brings welcome spark even when the script doesn’t. But the story is messy, the humor is very 1970s (read: sometimes juvenile, sometimes tone-deaf), and the romantic antics can feel more exhausting than charming if you’re not already on its wavelength. If you want a tight comedy with clever writing or modern sensibilities, this will test your patience; if you’re happy with old-school farce and stunt-driven spectacle, it can be a breezy time.