Adieu poulet

This neo French Noir explores an usual matters where a crime clash against the powerful politician establishment, Lino Venture defying this corrupt system helped by a crazy partner at Paris, as they say "Starts a dream" this forgotten gem from the mid-seventies has a strong persona of the incorruptible cop the Commissioner Verjeat, when expose a politician at public space by vengeance over a death of a policemen from his department, aftermaths he is "promoted" by another precinct, actually it came front above, trying throw off the menace, aside Ventura a true French institution on a his apogee, has another highlight on movie his partner the odd Inspector Lefrevre (Patrick Dewaere) a sort of opposite of Verjeat, fabulous unknown Noir picture from Pierre Granier-Deferre, underrated!!!

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First watch: 2020 / How many: 2'/ Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5

In the French city of Rouen an election is marred by a fight between the supporters of two of the candidates. In the fracas a man is beaten to death and the killer then shoots a passing police officer! The officer has time to warn his colleagues that the killer is Proctor (Claude Brosset), a well-known thug whose brother is campaigning on behalf of law and order candidate Lardatte (Victor Lanoux)!

Commissaire Verjeat's (Lino Ventura) pursuit of Proctor is hampered by Lardatte for whom he has a personal dislike and misses no opportunity to humiliate. As a result he then finds himself with a very short time to capture Proctor, since he faces a promotion and a posting outside of Rouen, which will take him off the case. Verjeat is sure that this is courtesy of Lardatte and his police contacts! To cap it all, his sidekick, the eccentric Inspector Lefevre (Patrick Dewaere), implicates them both in a case of police corruption!

This French police drama focuses mainly on the politics of the police department and the often dubious relationship between police, criminals and politicians. What could be a routine docu-drama is enlivened by the contrasting performances of the no-nonsense Ventura and jester-like Dewaere. And there are also exciting moments like a siege of the city hall and an attempted arrest of Proctor, which is ruined when Lefevre's change falls out of his pocket!

Adieu Poulet (or The French Detective for the English title) is the typical french police movie from the seventies. I remember watching it when I was a kid and enjoyed it more then than I did now. In those days there were just not that much of good movies, Adieu Poulet was one of the good ones. Nowadays we have so much more choices. I still like it though, and it's always nice to watch a movie with Lino Ventura and Patrick Dewaere, as both are no longer with us, Lino dies of a heart attack and Patrick Dewaere took his own life seven years after this movie. Dewaere was a promising actor but with a troubled mind, still it came as a shock when he commited suicide. Adieu Poulet has a good cast, the story is easy to follow and entertaining, maybe it didn't age that well but still it's worth a watch.

In 1970 Jean Gabin, ranked 18th in the list of 'Greatest Frenchmen', appeared in 'La Horse', a lamentable opus by Pierre Granier-Deferre which even Gabin's presence could not save. A considerable improvement is this later film from the same director which stars Lino Ventura, who was destined to assume Gabin's mantle and is ranked 23rd.

Ventura plays Commissaire Verjeat, an avenging angel in true Dirty Harry mode whilst the inspired casting of Patrick Dewaere as his hot-headed assistant provides another fascinating variant on the tried and trusted filmic formula of established versus rising star. As well as possessing that indefinable something extra, both actors complement each other perfectly whilst the other side of the coin is represented by the morally vacuous characters that are played by Victor Lanoux, Claude Rich and Julien Guiomar.

This is one of the films generally credited with helping to establish the sub-genre known as 'neo-polar' which is characterised by punchy dialogue, taut editing, high body count, maximum machismo and minimal femininity. The basic subject matter is redeemed however by the typically French emphasis on character rather than plot.

Although 'La Horse' is pretty awful one must acknowledge the excellence of this director's other collaboration with Gabin, 'Le Chat'. The brilliant Dewaere went from strength to strength before his tragically early demise. Ventura is, as always, great value in this but to suggest, as one critic has done, that this film represents 'arguably his finest hour' is frankly, absolute nonsense, as this would mean overlooking 'L 'Armée des Ombres', 'Cadaveri eccelenti' and 'Garde a Vue'.

Cop movie was truly a big part of French cinema in the 60's and the 70's. And this one is true to the genre. Granier-Deferre is able to make us care for commissaire Vergeat, the cop who's ready to use unorthodox ways to catch the bad guy. But Vergeat's way of doing things gets him into trouble. He's got to play politics. Ah! poor Vergeat!

One last thing: Lino Ventura does a terrific job playing the commissaire.

Out of 100, I give Adieu Poulet 82. That's good for *** out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on September 11th, 2002.