Ein unzertrennliches Gespann (1987)

Ein unzertrennliches Gespann: Directed by Patrice Leconte. With Gérard Jugnot, Jean Rochefort, Sylvie Granotier, Julie Jézéquel. Michel Mortez is going to and fro France to compere a radio game he created 25 years ago. He is famous among the average Frenchmen. But he is also a poker. Rivetot, his assistant and technician, always goes with him. He is the only one to know what really lies under Mortez’s appearance of playful don Juan. When the programme is condemned by the managers, Rivetot delays as long as possible the moment he will have to announce it to Mortez… Both malicious and tender, this bitter comedy also shows nostalgia.

“A movie released in 1987, u0026quot;Tandemu0026quot; represents a turning point in Patrice Leconteu0026#39;s work. Indeed, from this film, this brilliant director gives up comedy to shot more dramatic movies which will enable him to assert a more personal and more original style. Thus, u0026quot;Tandemu0026quot; is the first of a quite long series of movies that will make Leconte one of the most accomplished French filmmakers ever.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Tandemu0026quot; is a thrilling and consistent film in the way Leconte succeeds in cleverly blending road-movie, drama and comedy. The latter expresses itself in several forms. For example, several details of the movie gives it a little surrealist air (Rivetot who has an obsessive fear of red dog, Mortez who canu0026#39;t stand the sight of drivers who have a picnic on the edge of the road). Leconte uses these somewhat absurd details to shot comical situations. The best example can be found in the following sequence: as Mortez and Rivetotu0026#39;s car breaks down, they have to host their radio program in the country. The candidates are the ones who fixed them and they are people who are actually picnickers!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eConcerning drama, it is especially present in the background of the film: Rivetotu0026#39;s will to hide the truth from Mortez about the cancellation of the game. On another hand, in dramatic sequences Leconte knows how to create the emotion, partly thanks to the music.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThen, u0026quot;Tandemu0026quot; is served by two exceptionally talented actors. Leconte describes then with a touch of ironic humor. On one hand, Jean Rochefort (who will often be one of Leconteu0026#39;s favorite actors), a proud and haughty man who only lives for his radio program. On another hand, Gérard Jugnot, a jovial man who is impressed by his partner (it is to be noted that it is the first movie in which he acts without his mustache). Through their adventure, not only is it a real friendship story that Leconte aims at showing us.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eUltimately, u0026quot;Tandemu0026quot; is a fine success of a gifted director and if you wish to discover Patrice Leconteu0026#39;s movies, this one constitutes a good start.”