Films francais
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Les Rois du gag
1985 Comedy
 
Credits
  • Director: Claude Zidi
  • Script: Michel Fabre, Didier Kaminka, Claude Zidi
  • Photo: Jean-Jacques Tarbès
  • Music: Vladimir Cosma
  • Cast: Michel Serrault (Gaëtan), Gérard Jugnot (Paul Martin), Thierry Lhermitte (François Leroux), Macha Méril (Jacqueline), Mathilda May (Alexandra), Didier Kaminka (René), Coluche (Georges), Maurice Baquet (Robert), Pierre Doris (Jean), Daniel Laloux (Le directeur du théâtre), Georges Beller (Le réalisateur TV), Muriel Dubrule (La dernière femme), Carole Jacquinot (Catherine)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 98 min
 
 
 
Summary
Anxious that his popularity as TV’s funniest man is on the wane, ageing comedian Gaétan hires two young comics, Georges and François, to provide him with some new material.  Whilst Gaétan is performing in his “rejuvenated” show, he learns that the world famous director Robert Wellson wants to offer him the leading role in his next film.  For the disillusioned comedian, it is a dream come true…

Review
Claude Zidi’s attempt to satirise the art of gag writing doesn’t quite hit the mark but there are plenty of decent laughs to be had along the way.  It’s a pity that the storyline is such a rambling mess because the central premise of the film is a good one – an exploration of how gag writers and performers can become obsessed in their art.  Admittedly not all of the jokes work, but there’s great pleasure to be had in watching the comic antics of Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte and Coluche.  It is ultimately Michel Serrault who steals the show, with a brilliant (and thoroughly evil) parody-impression of the great Orson Welles.

© James Travers 2007

 

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