April 19, 2001 -- "Just Visiting" is an English language remake of the 1993 French film "Les Visiteurs," ("The Visitors"), which I saw on videotape several years ago. Unlike almost all remakes this one is actually better than the original.

Jean Reno and Christian Clavier, who also appeared in "Les Visiteurs," again play time travelers from the 12th century, only this time, instead of staying in France, they land in a museum exhibit in modern day Chicago. Most of the film is a running gag about the two medieval Frenchmen trying to adjust to modern life in America. There is a bit more substance to the film in that Reno, who plays a nobleman, Count Thibault, teaches his ancestor, Julia Malfete (played by Christina Applegate of "The Big Hit"), how to be more assertive, more noble.

Clavier, who plays Andre, Thibault's servant, learns about liberty and equality from the Americans. Clavier, by the way, co-wrote the script. There's also a subplot involving Rosalind's double-dealing fiancé, Hunter Baxter (Matthew Ross of "Wonder Boys") and his girlfriend, Amber (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras). Then there's the wizard who got them in this mess, (Malcolm McDowell of "Star Trek: Generations"). The wizard has no name in the film, but he looks a lot like some representations of Merlin.

There are some serious gaffs in the film, the biggest of which is the language barrier. While it is conceivable a nobleman like Thibault might possibly have known English, even in the 12th century, the English would have been pre-Chaucer. It would sound like gibberish to the casual American listener, and would be decipherable only by a trained ear. Andre, of course, would not know any English at all. In the film both Andre and Thibault speak perfectly understandable modern American English with a slight French accent. There's also no way these guys could be mistaken for men from the modern era, even with their ability to speak modern English.

The film does use a lot of very broad humor, including some bathroom jokes, but most of it works. The running gag about the medieval reaction to modern times is also funny. One scene that is especially good has a knight and his horse board an elevated commuter train. McDowell has a lot of fun with his wizard bit, picking up some funky clothes and playing with chemistry sets. Reno is very good as the nobleman. There is a certain air of confidence about him that is unshaken by his fish-out-of-water status. Clavier gleefully fills his role as the clown. This film rates a C+.

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