Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Mr. Bean’s Holiday

Reviewed by: Patty Moliterno
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: General
Genre: Comedy, Sequel
Length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Year of Release: 2007
USA Release: August 24, 2007 (wide)
DVD: November 27, 2007
Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures Copyright, Universal Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Universal Pictures

Bean (1997)

Johnny English (2003)

Featuring Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma De Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Karel Roden
Director Steve Bendelack
Producer Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Peter Bennett-Jones
Distributor Distributor: Universal Pictures. Trademark logo.Universal Pictures

“Disaster is a small step away.”

Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is supposed to be zany and unusual, and this movie is zany and unusual. As the movie begins, Bean is pulling up in front of a church and locking his car with a padlock. Inside the church they are having a raffle for a beach trip to Cannes, while the church roof leaks all around. The raffle is being held to help fix the roof. The parish priest calls the number 919, but Bean is disappointed because he has 616. Just as they are about to call another number, Bean realizes his mistake and turns his ticket upside down to reveal 919. Bean also wins a video camera.

Mr. Bean videotapes his entire travels. Most of the time, he acts like a child with a video camera and some of the scenes are just downright annoying. For the next hour and a half, Bean travels the countryside trying to get to his destination.

Mr. Bean is a British comedy that stars Rowan Atkinson as the zany, most of the time silent actor. He dresses odd, he makes odd faces, and he seems to not understand what is going on around him. This movie is a sequel. The first movie called “Bean” was released in 1997 and was rated PG-13. This movie carries a G-rating. However, don’t think that means anyone can see it. There are several scenes that bothered me. In one scene, Bean is driving and falling asleep at the wheel. He heats the cigarette lighter in the car and burns his finger to keep awake. In another scene, a man jumps off a bridge to kill himself, and Bean is responsible for this.

There are also plenty of moments where Bean does the wrong thing to others. He drops his coffee on a man’s laptop and then lets someone else take the blame. In a restaurant, Bean drops raw oysters in a woman’s purse and then runs out of the restaurant. He causes a traffic jam in the city. He asks a man to videotape him getting on the train and steps on his cup of coffee. Instead of showing remorse for this, he is annoyed with the man for leaving it there. He has the man retape the scene and this causes the man to miss getting on the train.

The man’s young son Stepan (Max Baldry) is already on the train. Bean then feels some responsibility in helping him get back to his father. There is a scene where Stepan gets off the train and is approached by a drunken man. Bean gets off the train to make sure he is okay.

Other Objectionable Content Includes: Two men fighting, a drunk man approaching a child at the train station, a scene with a tank and machine guns, Bean steals a bicycle, and a man is shown standing in front of a urinal. Stepan slaps Bean and this becomes a way of greeting elsewhere in the film. Bean dresses as a women and Stepan dresses as a young girl to avoid being found. Bean knocks out a security guard with his purse.

This movie is a perfect example as to how we should not live our lives. Bean is totally oblivious to anyone but himself. He has one destination and getting there is all that matters. We need to try to live our lives watching out for others. Being aware of others in our lives and choosing to do the right thing is far more important than our plans or destination. Bean is unaware of what is going on around him but this doesn’t prevent him from bad things. His actions were responsible for most of his mishaps.

If you are a Bean fan or enjoy mindless humor, I’m sure you will want to see this movie. There were some funny scenes, and at the end of the movie, there was some audience applause. However, this movie is just dumb. Some of the funny scenes from the previews were cut out of the movie, and most of the movie is pointless. However, one redeeming quality of the movie is that there is a loose plot of Bean trying to return the young boy to his father. Also, many of the characters throughout the movie reappear at various destinations along the way as Bean and everyone else converge on Cannes.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—My husband and I are Mr. Bean fans from the start, but we were preparing ourselves for another movie like the first one—a rough job of stringing together past sketches. We were both pleased and surprised at this second movie. The storyline flows much easier, and the inclusion of the boy as his “sidekick” was brilliant. “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” was visually beautiful, leaving both of us wanting to visit France! I highly recommend this movie. It’s a great rental.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4
Anjanette, age 32
Positive—Mr. Bean’s Holiday was Excellent! I feel that this movie did him more justice than the first. The first film with it’s blasphemy, cursing and ambiguity is very disheartening. But I would definitely reccomend Mr. Bean’s Holiday for the whole family. It is funny in a clean way, and stresses the importance of friendship. Fans of Mr. Bean like myself will definitely enjoy this, it’s worth every cent!
My Ratings: Excellent! / 5
Kurt, age 19, South Africa
Positive—…There was: No profanity / No sexual acts / No violence / No drug use / Hmmmm… Something that we don’t see in a movie too often anymore.
My Ratings: Good / 4
Thomas Winters, age 27
Positive—Its not bad; its difficult to find an inoffensive worldly film today, and I thought this was. I am a Bean fan, took the 8 and 10 year olds to see it and was not embarrissed by any scenes I remember. Lots of funny bits. Much more acceptable than end of “Johnny English.”
My Ratings: Better than Average / 3
Tony Wood, age 49
Positive—Let me first premise my comments by saying that I am a big Mr. Bean fan and have been ever since I saw his show on HBO in the early nineties. Even though I am a fan, I went into the theatres with a fairly open mind, knowing that this movie could be satisfying OR it could also be a bomb. I must say I was pleasantly surprised and I laughed so hard at times that I had tears in my eyes and I nearly lost my breath and had an asthma attack right there in the theatre! Unlike most comedians of today, Rowan Atkinson doesn’t need to rely on vulgarity or lewd sexual humor to get a laugh. In fact, he can make you laugh without even talking! That is what I’ve always respected about him. He clearly shows off his ability to be completely insane in this movie as he uses his whole body, his facial expressions, and at times his very strange voice. I feel as if I have to defend the movie from the review it received on this Web site. The character of Bean was never meant to be admired for who he is as a person and the selfish things he does. In fact, the TV show (as well as the movies) doesn’t hide the fact that Mr. Bean is quite a pathetic guy. He doesn’t have any friends, he’s not marriage material (we see him get dumped in one episode), and he talks to his Teddy Bear as if it was real! (Where was Teddy in this movie anyway?) Nobody wants to be Mr. Bean, it’s just that his character is fascinating because it’s so shocking to see a grown man in a suit do the most idiotic, childlike, things! Having said that I feel as if Bean tried to right his wrong of separating father and son and this movie does show a softer side of Bean while at the same time it doesn’t ignore his knack for turning everything he touches into a disaster whether he meant to or not.

As for the “objectionable content,” two men fighting, a drunk man approaching a child at the train station, an attempted steal of a bicycle, a person being slapped across the face… these are all things that you can see take place in New York City in the course of a day. These events are not 'objectionable content'… these things are real life. And if you really pay attention to the suicide scene, it is completely NOT Bean’s fault. There is no way he could have known the severity of the situation as he has no idea who he is talking to on the phone or that the man is at the edge of a bridge. Is this a spiritual movie? Of course not! It was never intended to be. Is it a funny movie? Probably only if you like Mr. Bean and that type of British humor. Should you take your kids? I don’t see why not. There is an underlying theme that selfishness has it’s consequences and the movie has a very happy ending. With comedies now hitting the theatres like “Superbad” and “Balls of Fury” “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” is a clean, G-Rated treat that you can take the whole family to.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4
Samuel, age 32
Positive—I completely agree with Samuel’s viewpoint. As a Christian, I appreciate movies which bypass overt sexuality, gratuitous violence, and vulgar language and simply make me laugh. Mr Bean’s Holiday may not have the “message” Evan Almighty claimed to have, but I laughed, I laughed hard, and I didnt feel guilty about one thing I laughed at. … Is it the perfect movie? No. it’s not, but by golly, the more we support films that are clean, the more Hollywood will see there is a call for quality clean entertainment. Bravo to Rowan Atkinson for revitalizing my faith in quality films!
My Ratings: Better than Average / 4½
Hoovie, age 32
Positive—I don’t consider myself to be a Mr. Bean fan at all, and went to see it on a whim—and I’m really, honestly glad that I did! I respectfully disagree with the low ratings that the Christian Answers review gave it. While it wasn’t an Oscar-winner or anything, it was charming and I feel it was well done. I was astonished about how clean this movie was. While many commented about how uncomfortably odd Mr. Bean is, it is very obviously and purposefully so; I didn’t feel that it is meant to be taken seriously at all. While he does cause disaster by accident, it is never played in mean spirit or to promote actual violence, but rather make ordinary mistakes that everyone makes more extreme and comical. There was not a single double entendre, use of the Lord’s name in vain, or cuss word in the ENTIRE FILM. For this reason alone (and the fact that it is honestly funny) I would truly recommend this film.
My Ratings: Good / 4
Allie, age 18
Neutral
Neutral—I agree with your reviewer’s opinion of this movie. Mr. Bean’s ineptitude and stupidity bring hurt and harm to many people. I must admit there were a couple of scenes where I laughed til I cried, and for me, that is worth the price of the ticket. Although Mr. Bean means well, he is self-centered and definitely not of sound mind. I don’t think this movie is as entirely clean as people may hope or think it is because of the amount of havoc wreaked by this supposedly “innocent” and “harmless” man. However, he tries to right some of his wrongs, and in the end, he manages to undo some of his errors, so the moral of the story is finally fairly positive. I just feel uneasy by the craziness of this character. When we are in the Lord, we love our neighbor and we are of sound mind by the renewing of our mind through scripture and the Holy Spirit. This movie is not quite as Christian as one might assume.
My Ratings: Average / 3½
Neutral—Movie was too cute and too funny up until the end. Parents beware at the end of the movie Mr. Bean’s female friend changes clothes and puts on a VERY low dress and her breast are extremely exposed, way to much. …how hard would it have been to put a dress on her that fit?
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Melissa Poole, age 34
Negative
Negative—This movie was a huge waste of time. Please do not waste your time or money on it. I would have to say this is the worst movie I have ever seen. I thought Polar Express was the worst now this one takes the honors. I do have to say there are some cute and funny parts but I also have to say that I must not be a fan of this guy since I don’t think he is all that funny.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 3½
Bonnie, age 39
Comments from young people
Positive—Mr. Bean comes bumbling through again after the abominable first Bean movie. Rowan Atkinson has promised that this movie will be more true to the original series. He’s right, but it’s perhaps a little too true. A lot of the sketches that set up the comedy feel very familiar and a few are taken straight out of the TV show. That being said the movie is light comedy fluff: never gut-bustingly funny, but it always keeps a smile on your face throughout the whole movie. The film is rated G, and is spotless except for Mr. Bean dressing up as a woman for comic effect.
My Ratings: Good / 3½
Ben L., age 15
Positive—I was so bored I almost fell asleep! But my younger brothers and sisters liked it. It’s great for the younger ages.
My Ratings: Good / 5
Jordan, age 16
Negative—I went and saw this movie today with my mom, brother, and sister, and I have to say this was one of the worst films I think I have ever seen. There is nothing offensive, except for the fact that the woman’s tops were low cut, and Mr. Bean and the boy dressed as girls, if that is offensive to you. There was no point, except for the loose plot of Mr. Bean trying to get the boy back to his father. But the movie kept drifting off the plot and it was hard to know what was happening because there was no talking except in french. I must say there were a few funny parts, but still, the movie made no sense at all. Don’t waste your time and money on this movie, go see a better film like “Nancy Drew,” or “The Game Plan.” This movie just has no plot.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 3
Holly, age 12
Positive—I thought this was a pretty good movie. I mean, there was some objectional elements, like a man commiting suicide, but I still thought it was pretty good. My friend and I went to see it, and we laughed at a lot of parts. Now I’m not saying it’s a perfect movie, I mean, but there was some pretty good parts. For example, Mr. Bean does every thing he can to help the boy get back to his father. So overall, it’s a pretty good movie.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 3½
Andrew O., age 12
Comments from non-viewers
…The one thing I learned from a British friend who is a huge Mr. Bean fan, is that the producer’s have created the character of Mr. Bean modelled after the mind of an 11 year old boy. When viewed in that light, we see that the antics which from an adult perspective are offensive, are actually a pretty fair representation of how an 11 year old would act without the guidance of a parent.
Heather B, age 50
To the neutral viewer—thank you for your insight and sensitivity to the lifechanging work of the Holy Spirit. To the Mr. Bean Lovers—thank you for educating me on who he is and what he is about. I love a good laugh also and wheeze and cry reading Amelia Badelia books to my kids! I believe if I do decide to see this movie, it will be kidless first. I love this Web site—Thank you all for participating!
Paula, age 38
Seriously folks—the good Lord gave us humor… the gift of making us laugh is all over this actor! I haven’t seen this particular movie, but I grew up with Mr. Bean comedy and I find the reviews here a little stuck up. I believe God wants us to love one another as he loved us… comedians and their zany gifts included! Who decided we can’t laugh at silly things… Look—we all KNOW they are just plain silly, we know they’d never really happen. Wind your neck in and start laughing instead of dishing out the criticizm. You might find yourself actually feeling better, adding a few years to your life and avoiding a few frown lines! You weren’t placed here on Earth to judge the rest of God’s people were you? GOD LOVES US, HE GAVE US HUMOR. Offensive is a stretch—REALLY. Mr. Bean is far from offensive, he’s plain silly and doesn’t claim to be anything else. My family are all Christians, we enjoy Mr. Bean at every given chance, you ought’a try seeing the funny side of him—God would approve of your laughter.
My Ratings: Better than Average / 5
Carol, age 48, liing in USA, originally from UK
Negative—Proably the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. I excpected to be laughing through-out this whole film, and yet I only laughed once; it’s amazing how hard this movie tried to be funny! The plot was terrible, and there was no talking, just Mr. Bean being dumb; I definitely regret wasting my time watching this.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1½
Heather, age 14 (Italy)