Una vita non basta

Surely the best film directed by Claude Lelouch after "L'aventure c'est l'aventure". The Jacques Brel's life inspiration is really present. Richard Anconina and Jean-Paul Belmondo played a really amazing duo and are really great in the psychological discovery of the two characters they are playing.

This is not the best movie you might ever see, but it still is very refreshing. Of course, it has it's flaws, it has it's humbling moments and yet at the same time it's different from all the sh*t you're used to and is funny in a way only the french can give you this. You might recognize a little from the masterpiece Amelie, when you see the opening. I give it 7 out of 10, but still reccomend it to you if you're tired of the usual bore you can rent in the videostore.

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."

Itinéraire d'un enfant gâté is the unusual fate of a man, Sam Lion (Belmondo), who has succeeded in life too quickly. But money doesn't make happiness: his loves annoy him, his children are complicated, his job is a burden. He decides to leave, pretending to be dead and leaving behind a loving family. Despite his apparent selfishness, we become attached to him and identify with him. In fact, everyone wants to live their life (or at least perceive themselves) as a great adventurer, just like him. This film makes us realise that it is possible to fulfil our wildest dreams and take our destiny in hand.

In close contact with nature, the missing man regains a taste for the true values of life, even if we quickly understand that Sam Lion still likes to control everything (his destiny and his loved ones, but also nature and the animals), which prevents him from completely cutting the ties with his former life. Even though he is presumed dead, Sam Lion finds a way to regain control of his business through a former employee Albert (Anconina) who recognises Sam Lion by pure chance in the middle of Africa. Sam Lion decides to train Albert in his image until they become one of the most beautiful and touching duos in the history of cinema. Colored with truth and humour, there are wonderful scenes between Belmondo (pretentious but touching) teaching life to his « pantin » Albert (naive and clumsy). Everything separates them but friendship eventually binds them together and in the end the two will learn a lot from each other.

The talent of Belmondo and Anconina, as well as the incredible soundtrack, further embellish this beautiful story. The non linear narrative of the movie allows us to go from laughing to crying very quickly, and that's the beauty of the film. Finally, the shots are breathtaking, especially the scenes with the zooms on Belmondo's charismatic face and confident look. Alternating flashbacks of Sam Lion's sailboat floating on the choppy waves with static shots of the actors' faces, we understand that while the waves sweep away the past, determination allows each of us to set sail and decide on our own itinerary.

The Claude Lelouch's movie is a pretty good moment of cinema. One of the most touching films about family and loneliness, and surely the best interpretation of French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.