The Shiny Shrimps

The Shiny Shrimps

At first glance this just appears a French fusion of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Swimming with Men. However it is neither, as the first was about harsh survival and the second a self-help group for broken men.

No other country except France produces such light touch comedy based on self-deprecation of ones own foibles and effortlessly mingles this with pathos and insight on the human condition. It is truly a French trait you see in many comedies from La Cage Aux Folles onwards.

This was very much a gay movies for a gay audience, the swimming club was presented as a place for self expression, meeting friends and having fun.

The whole movie was really all just froth and nonsense and had nothing to say of any gravitas. The acting was good, the set pieces in the pool not quite so good. We had two thoughts expressed that were of interest

• it is better to lose with the people you love than win alone.

• a minority group retains the privilege of expressing itself with derogatory language against itself (in this case homophobic).

I had a really great night as it was very entertaining but it largely appeals to a very specific audience so it's definitely not for everyone.