Le président

This excellent adaptation by Michel Audiard of the novel by Georges Simenon is described as a 'political thriller'. Political it certainly is but hardly a thriller. It is extremely well made of course with first class production values and boasts a top notch cast led by Jean Gabin. The themes of European unity, morally vacuous politicians and unscrupulous speculators resonate today. Gabin as President Beaufort is twice stabbed in the back by Chalamont; tremendous performance by Bernard Blier. Beaufort only has to bide his time as revenge is a dish best served cold. Renee Faure is effective as the loyal secretary who turns out to be not quite as loyal as she would appear. The scenes in the National Assembly are magnificent and superbly edited. The film is marvellously shot by Louis Page. This is the first of Gabin's four collaborations with director Henri Verneuil and although perhaps not as commercially attractive as those with Belmondo, Delon and Ventura, definitely gives him the best role.

To watch this movie, I needed (i) some free time on a rainy afternoon to think about and enjoy an intelligently made film, (ii) to know some early films with the following names : Audiard, Blier, Gabin, etc. (iii) to refresh my knowledge of France's former institutions. This film got me to that point when you like what you're watching so much that you end up taking notes while watching it. The more I see Blier in his films, the more I like him. He plays once more a supporting part, but he is great as the ambitious ambivalent mischievous politician. Gabin tends to recycle the style of his former parts. However if you take into account the fact that he actually plays a mix of three different politicians (Clémenceau, Jaurès and De Gaulle), it is in the end actually quite understandable to see him depicted as a role model for all politicians, always having the right word with the right occurrence. Although you might object on some of the aspects of his economic policy, which was actually applied during these years, he is respectable and righteous. And there is this moment of anthology where he speaks before the congressmen, which is instructive politically and cinematographically. The movie is well constructed. The pace is rather slow, but it is to emphasize on the dialogs, since they tend to be all efficient in every scenes. Politically the film is quite puzzling, since some of the issues raised are somehow still debated today, and this after some 70 years, while depicting accurately the role and the quirks of politicians and insisting on their duties as men elected from the people. This movie is well directed and actually allows you to remember it after seeing it. The movie manages to be entertaining and instructive. Go for it.

Here is a film made in 1961. Yet, it could have been made yesterday.

The issues surrounding the European Union, very clearly illustrated in this movie, are still reverberating around the world today. Idealism vs realpolitik. Vested interested vs the 99%. Can politicians be both moral & pragmatic? Can there be compromise without sacrificing principles? Can power be exercise decently?

The screenplay written by Michel Audiard is outstanding. Complex issues are presented effectively and clearly. It is no wonder that he is much proclaimed amongst the French literati.

This film has no fancy effects or fast cuts. There is no easy Hollywood style resolution. But watch if you want a little illumination in a muddy world.

This movie is a very strong political drama about an aging president who loves to take risks. He is very clever man, but he's alone at the top. He wants to create a United Europe, but every French politician is against him. I'm a big fan of Jean Gabin. He's always fabulous, even in bad movies. He was great when he was young, and great when he was older, like in this one. For me, he's one of the ten best movie actors of all time. This film had very strong dialogues. It deserves a 8 out of 10.

An old statesman reminisces his carrier, highlighted by a decision to devaluate the Franc, the building of Europe and a betrayal of confidence by an ambitious politician. Masterful creation by Jean Gabin with the help of an excellent dialogue by M. Audiard.