The Meaning of Family, a fantastical comedy from Jean-Patrick Benes, airs on France 2 this Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. Released in cinemas in 2021, the film brings together Alexandra Lamy, Franck Dubosc, and Christiane Millet for a family body-swap tale, in which every member of the Morel clan wakes up in someone else’s body.
The Meaning of Family
Film | 2021
Release in cinemas: June 30, 2021
Broadcast on France 2 : Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Fantasy comedy | Duration: 1h30 to 1h32 depending on sources
Directed by Jean-Patrick Benes | Starring Alexandra Lamy, Franck Dubosc, Christiane Millet
Original title: The Meaning of Family
Nationality: France
The premise kicks off from a domestic upheaval: one morning, the Morels wake to discover their minds have swapped bodies. Dad finds himself in his teenage son's body, Mom is in her youngest daughter's form, and every family member must navigate an identity that no longer feels like their own.
The film leans on a classic device of fantasy comedy—the body-swap premise—but applies it to an entire family rather than a single pair. This choice multiplies the frictions between generations, habits, and responsibilities, with a story centered on the parents, the kids, and the grandmother.
Jean-Patrick Benes, also linked to the series Kaboul Kitchen, co-wrote the screenplay with Allan Mauduit, Martin Douaire, and Thibault Valetoux. The film also appeared in the Official Selection of the Alpe d’Huez Film Festival 2021, a lineup dedicated to comedy.
The cast includes, in particular, Alexandra Lamy, Franck Dubosc, Christiane Millet, Artus, Jackie Berroyer, Rose de Kervenoaël and Mathilde Roehrich. This broadcast also highlights the long-awaited reunion between Alexandra Lamy and Franck Dubosc after Tout le monde debout.
The Meaning of Family could appeal to viewers seeking a French family comedy built around a straightforward fantastical premise. The film is less suited for those who prefer realistic comedies or stories without an identity‑swap gimmick.
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