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P.R.O.F.S.
1985 Comedy
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Credits
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Director: Patrick Schulmann
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Script: Didier Dolna, Patrick Schulmann
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Photo: Jacques Assuérus
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Music: Patrick Schulmann
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Cast: Patrick Bruel (Frédéric Game),
Fabrice Luchini (Michel),
Christophe Bourseiller (Francis Ceze),
Laurent Gamelon (Gérard Biril),
Etienne Draber (Bonnet,
le censeur),
Martine Sarcey (La directrice),
Yolande Gilot (Julie),
Charlotte Julian (Josyane),
Guy Montagné (René Nogret),
Isabelle Mergault (Caroline),
Chantal Neuwirth (Flora),
Camille de Casabianca (Françoise),
Jean-René Gossart (Charles Max),
Anne Fontaine (Marite),
André Raffard (Nouel),
Malène Sveinbjornsson (Laetitia Beloir),
Lionel Melet (Guillaume Rosel),
Sheila O'Connor (Maud),
Brigitte Morel (Nathalie)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 90 min
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Summary
Frédéric is a reactionary literature teacher who intends to apply some unorthodox
methods when he takes up a post in a typical French high school. Whilst he quickly
manages to get on the wrong side of most of his colleagues, his approach wins favour from
art teacher Michel, gym instructor Gérard and librarian Francis. Convinced
that their teaching methods are the best, the four new friends set about eliminating their
more conventional colleagues…
Review
Patrick Schulmann manages to contain his more eccentric style of comedy – seen previously
in Et la tendresse?... Bordel! (1979) and
Rendez-moi ma peau... (1980) – in
this engaging comedy which cheerfully satirises the French teaching system. Although
the plot occasionally gets snarled up with some overly drawn out comic situations which
fail to take off, P.R.O.F.S. is easily Schulmann’s
best work, and features some of his funniest material. Among a host of memorable
visual jokes are: the instant transformation of a Karl Marx character into a Hitler-look-alike,
the explosion of a chemistry teacher, and a hilarious sequence in which a bed falls through
the ceiling during a film club screening of Jean Vigo’s Zéro
de conduite.
Fabrice Luchini and Patrick Bruel are probably two of the least likely actors to
appear in this kind of film (a low-brow, low-budget comedy), but their presence certainly
gives the film extra appeal and kudos. Luchini’s colourful portrayal of an
art teacher is utterly eccentric yet – oddly – also totally spot on.
Can anyone claim to having had an art teacher who was remotely
normal?
Whilst wacky for the most part, there are some attempts at serious
reflection on the teaching profession. A discussion between the four lead characters
leads to some increasingly bizarre, yet strangely prophetic, predictions of the future
of education. Dare one imagine a world without teachers? Schulmann dares,
just before diving into another series of mad-cap comic situations. It’s a
bit messy, a bit too predictable in parts, but overall P.R.O.F.S.
offers an entertaining view of high school education at its absolute worst.
© James Travers 2005
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