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Le Viager
1972 Comedy
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Credits
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Director: Pierre Tchernia
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Script: René Goscinny, Pierre Tchernia
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Photo: Jean Tournier
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Music: Gérard Calvi
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Cast: Michel Serrault (Louis Martinet),
Michel Galabru (Léon Galipeau),
Claude Brasseur (Noël Galipeau
à 39 ans),
Rosy Varte (Elvire Galipeau),
Odette Laure (Marguerite Galipeau),
Jean-Pierre Darras (Emile Galipeau),
Yves Robert (Bucigny-Dumaine (le bel officier)),
Jean Richard (Jo (un voyou)),
Madeleine Clervanne (La grand-mère),
Noël Roquevert (Le grand-père
Galipeau),
Jacques Bodoin (Maître Laguarrigue,
l'honnête notaire),
Gérard Depardieu (Le complice
de Jo),
Bernard Lavalette (Le député souriant),
Claude Legros (Le brave facteur),
Jean Carmet (L'avocat de Noël)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 101 min
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Aka: The Annuity
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Summary
France, 1930. Louis Martinet, a 59 year old bachelor, learns from his doctor, Léon
Galipeau, that he has only a few years left to live. He has a house in a small village,
St Tropez, in the south of France, but no income for his retirement. Realising
that Martinet has no family or friends, Galipeau sees this as an opportunity to acquire
Martinet’s house cheaply. He persuades his brother Emile to offer Martinet a “viager”
contract, by which Emile gives Martinet a sum of money each year and, when Martinet dies,
the house passes to the Galipeau family. A lawyer recommends that the payment made
to Martinet be index-linked to the price of aluminium. In view of Martinet’s ill
health, it looks as if the Galipeaus are on to a sure winner. However, two years
later, Martinet appears to be in the best of health, thriving in his new Mediterranean
setting. Even the scourge of World War II only appears to benefit Martinet, and,
as the price of aluminium starts to soar, his income increases. In the end, the
Galipeau’s have had enough of Martinet’s unexpected longevity and decide to precipitate
his demise – with unexpected consequences…
Review
Le Viager is an enchanting morality tale wrapped up in the guise of an entertaining
comedy, following the tradition of burlesque comic farce which became so popular in France
in the 1960s. With colourful characters – mostly unashamed French stereotypes (even
down to the politician who cannot resist a photo-opportunity) – an amusing but easy-to-follow
plot, a sparkling script which affords some genuine moments of hilarity, this is a rare
example of a French comedy which would appeal as much to an English or American audience
as to a French audience. The film’s only fault, possibly, is that the comedy occasionally
goes way over the top, sometimes with a forced campness which doesn’t quite seem appropriate.
What makes this film particularly memorable are the tirelessly amusing performances from
the lead actors Michel Serrault and Michel Galabru, both well establish character actors
with a penchant for comedy. Galabru’s increasing desperation to dispose of Serrault,
whilst the latter basks contentedly in his new-found good fortune (seeing the Galipeau’s
only as benefactors, not the mercenaries they actually are), is as heart-warming as it
is funny. The appearance of a young Claude Brasseur and an even younger Gerard
Dépardieu at the end of the film is an unexpected treat, which goes down rather
like a chocolate liqueur after a sumptuous main meal.
© James Travers 2001
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