Flic ou voyou

'Flic ou voyou' (English title is 'Cop or Hood') made in 1979 by Georges Lautner is first and foremost a Belmondo movie. The screenplay (adaptation of a novel, with dialogues written by Michel Audiard) is written with the goal to put the main hero into action with his physical qualities, charm, courage, humor and womanising success. In this kind of movies one of the dangers is that we, as spectators, begin to believe in the invincibility of the hero, so even when he is in desperate situations we do not worry too much because all chances are that everything will end well. Credibility and attention to detail are not necessarily the number one priority in such films. These traps are not completely avoided in 'Flic ou voyou' either, but in addition to the presence of Belmondo, who was in his heyday in those years, the film has many qualities that make it pass the watching pleasure exam more than honourably, more than 40 years after its launching on screens.

Jean-Paul Belmondo is in this film the commissioner Stanislas Borovitz from the 'police of the polices', i.e. The internal investigation service of the French police. The Parisian policeman - disguised as the criminal Antonio Cerutti - is investigating the death of a police inspector involved in a corruption case in which the two gangs of gangsters who control the underworld business in Nice are involved. The road to exposing corrupt cops is littered with numerous corpses, gun duels, car chases, kidnappings, but especially with humor and a few sentimental episodes, because our hero is both divorced and a great lover of romantic adventures. When his teenage daughter appears in the story, things get even more complicated.

The plot - as compelling as it is incredible - should not be taken too seriously. The whole story is built around the character or characters played by Belmondo and to put the famous actor and his heroes in value. What gives quality to this film compared to many other films of this kind (even among others that Belmondo as the protagonist) are the dialogues and situations of comic action imagined by Michel Audiard, smart editing, and especially the participation of a formidable team of supporting actors, who give every role, no matter how small, charm and personality. Connoisseurs and enthusiasts of French cinema will recognise many figures and put their name next to each and every one, and I almost feel that I am doing an injustice by not listing everyone, and only Michel Audiard and Marie Marie Laforet. Everyone plays with obvious pleasure and charm and they perfectly complement Belmondo, making watching 'Flic ou voyou' a recommended watching experience despite the years passed since its release.

A policeman was killed in Nice, and Paris sends a secret agent to investigate the case. The detective is to stop the corruption among the policemen of Nice by methods that are far from being orthodox. He fights a lot with much gusto and punishes the criminals unmercifully. Belmondo plays this leading part with his inimitable charm, humour and drive. After this film a new concept - "belmondism" appeared in Russia, that is when actors do impossible things on the screen (in the film Belmondo, running, catches up with a truck going full speed). One of the best films with Belmondo.

The film is a succession of sketches by the comic Jean-Paul Belmondo. Jean-Paul Belmondo's sketches, based on ridiculous dialogues, are really a plastic pause in stand-up mode, with no point of view of the director.

What was Georges Lautner's job? A stage manager? A manager of Jean-Paul Belmondo's buddies? The manager of Jean-Paul Belmondo, a national star who surely had to do as he pleased. The star was at the height of his popularity and must surely have been difficult to manage.

The film is interesting to study as an object where there is obviously a lack of discernment of its creators at all levels. The film contains moments that are meant to be comical, but are appalling, for example the driving school sequence with Philippe Castelli. This one is useless in terms of narration and is only a gag. The dialogues are often inept. The script is confused and finally that's what's most interesting, because this confusion provides a bit of mystery, and makes the viewer wonder where this will take him.

The framing and photography are those of a TV movie: Derrick seems to be the reference (281 episodes of 60 minutes during 24 years, it is a reference...).

This is meant to be a comedy and a detective movie, it seems to be indeed, a bit of both, but not at all designed. The mixture of the genres is always dangerous.

In my mind it's the best JP Belmondo movie! It's done in his best acting era and also technically and artistically it is excellent Belmondo movie! Even Morricone did sound for this movie! As all Belmondo aficionados know, the script and plot has not to much of importance but here it is quite good! Also he does some stunts in this movie also! Only thing with this movie I don't like is that I haven't found it with Englis subs or translation. So I have seen it in my language long time ago (about 20yrs) and lately with different languages. I am Belmondo fan but I like this movie best also because his choice of car/cars in here. He is driving Lotus Super Seven which is superb sportster in the world! Anyway, go and see it!

Belmondo plays this guy your not sure he's good or bad. Or he might just be the ugly. One thing's for sure, he uses humor, charm and bravado to achieve what he wants. And what he wants is justice. But justice for whom? That's what Lautner wants us to find out. Belmondo is superb in his role. There's so many French films about the police. Some of them are mediocre. This is a good one. Interesting use of the split screen and the camera play. And it really takes a while to know for sure in which camp falls Belmondo's character.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on February 24th, 2006.

79/100 (***)