Jean-Paul Belmondo who left us this year, was indisputably one of France's best loved stars but only when playing a particular type of role. Time stops for no man and his popularity dimmed when making the transition from action hero to character actor.
He had worked previously with director Claude Lelouch on 'L'Homme qui me plait' and by all accounts did not take much pursuading to appear in this as he was strongly drawn to the character of Sam Lion, head of a business empire whose desire to 'escape' from his world causes him to fake his own death.
His grizzled, eccentric, understated performance is arguably his best and won him a much-deserved César which, typically, he declined to collect. His best scenes by far are those with the interesting Richard Anconina as Albert, a chance meeting with whom has far-reaching consequences for them both. The scene where Sam gives Al a few pointers on how to play the game of life is priceless. Anconina had previously made an impression in 'Tchao Pantin' for Claude Berri. Sam's daughter is sympathetically played by the director's wife Marie-Sophie L. Great to see one of the 'golden oldies' Daniel Gélin, in such good form as Albert's father.
The film itself is not without its weaknesses but these are outweighed by its strengths. It contains flashes of brilliance, touching moments, haunting images and a splendid score by the sine qua non of Lelouch films, Francis Lai.
As for Monsieur Belmondo best to leave the final words to Lelouch himself: "Cinema is dominated by stars you like from the very beginning."
