I must admit that I had never heard of this charming little French film about an eccentric, ego-centric group of pick-up classical musicians(les cachetonneurs,) who are hired to play a New Year's Eve concert at a chateau in Normandy. By spotlighting this band of unique individuals, we get to see so many of the traits and eccentricities that are often thought of as being "typically French." For instance, when the average person sees a rose, usually it's just a red flower that's seen. The French will see not only the flower, but the thorns, the manure under the bush, and the ants in the manure! Although one comes to love the characters in this film, or at least understand and enjoy them, some things are disturbing. Specifically, the lack of concern about the health of a young woman musician, who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, and yet takes on the job of the concert, dances, drinks, climbs flights of stairs, and spends time in the company of people who smoke. I'd hate to think that THIS behavior is typically French, as well.