Les yeux dans les Bleus

When you watch this special documentary, you can't help thinking about this: Stéphane Meunier took a risk. Filming the French team during all the World Cup that took place in France in 1998 was a quite hard bet. If the French team had lost, Meunier' enterprise would have tumbled down. But, he knew how to take the challenge up and his documentary turns out to be fascinating. Meunier broached the football players in different ways. During the games and the relaxation moments, his camera makes itself discreet and retiring. However, when it comes to define the players' feelings concerning a match or what he thinks about the team, the camera becomes investigative. On the other hand, the documentary is full of qualities. For example, Meunier chose wisely the music and it articulates perfectly with the moments that the players but also the spectators must feel during the games (Massive Attack during tense moments, Madonna when happiness shine in the players when one of them scores a goal). Moreover, Meunier drew a convincing description of the coach, Aimé Jacquet, steady and satisfying when it's necessary. As far as the players are concerned, he makes them both friendly and endearing.

At the end, no matter if you're fond of football or you aren't, this documentary is a real success.

This first "les yeux dans les bleus" (followed by 2 unsuccessful and boring sequels) really leaves behind a lot to remember for the football fans... you see here how the coach managed to weld all the group, the young with the experienced, the hot-tempered with the calm ones... you can feel in the group, share their jokes, get thrilled in the "before-match" and "half-time" tactics discussion... a must see for all who love this game....

What's more, the music accompanying the images is great, so what more could we want??

Great stuff!!!