A public prosecutor has helped to send many a man to the guillotine. Indeed, he is so obsessed with criminal law, that he has given his valet a copy of the Penal Code. The valet has taken this kindly present to heart, though not in the way it was intended : he has become a "judge" for the underworld, resolving disputes between professional criminals. His fairness and impartiality have gained him a wide reputation. Then one day he observes a celestial body of the most delectable kind. Alas, even the most upright of judges can stray from the straight and narrow...
Among the many subjects mocked or spoofed in this black comedy : criminal law, lawyers, the death penalty, the haute bourgeoisie, the master-servant relationship, psychiatry, international relations and (post-)colonial conflicts.
This is very much a movie of two halves. The first half is exquisite, the second is more violent, more tone-deaf and more uneven. This kind of movie is, of course, difficult to grade : I'm slapping a "seven stars" on it, but I can fully understand both lower and higher grades. Anyway, Paul Meurisse is excellent as the most dangerous gentleman's gentleman in France. Elegantly cynical and cynically elegant, he lies, schemes, admonishes, corrects and insults with an unshakeable sense of superiority.
The scenes where he woos his lady love are pretty funny, too. Male viewers may want to try out some of his moves and lines. ("Your mouth, Madame, is infernal, your kiss is like heaven.") You'll be sure to get a reaction, although this reaction could take the form of a champagne bottle smashed over the noggin...
If you would like to see more Meurisse, feel free to watch "La grosse caisse", a somewhat neglected comedy about a giant heist set in the French subway.
Among the many subjects mocked or spoofed in this black comedy : criminal law, lawyers, the death penalty, the haute bourgeoisie, the master-servant relationship, psychiatry, international relations and (post-)colonial conflicts.
This is very much a movie of two halves. The first half is exquisite, the second is more violent, more tone-deaf and more uneven. This kind of movie is, of course, difficult to grade : I'm slapping a "seven stars" on it, but I can fully understand both lower and higher grades. Anyway, Paul Meurisse is excellent as the most dangerous gentleman's gentleman in France. Elegantly cynical and cynically elegant, he lies, schemes, admonishes, corrects and insults with an unshakeable sense of superiority.
The scenes where he woos his lady love are pretty funny, too. Male viewers may want to try out some of his moves and lines. ("Your mouth, Madame, is infernal, your kiss is like heaven.") You'll be sure to get a reaction, although this reaction could take the form of a champagne bottle smashed over the noggin...
If you would like to see more Meurisse, feel free to watch "La grosse caisse", a somewhat neglected comedy about a giant heist set in the French subway.