Hors jeu (1998)

Hors jeu is a French film comedy-drama first released in 1998, directed by Karim Dridi.  The film stars Philippe Ambrosini, Rossy de Palma, Patrick Bruel, Clotilde Courau and Arielle Dombasle.  It has also been released under the title: Foul Play.  Our overall rating for this film is: mediocre.


Two out of work actors, Ange and Concepción, meet up during the making of a seedy television commercial.  Having shared magic mushrooms together, they fall in love.  Ange later auditions for the part of a killer in a film but, when he is turned down for the part, he suffers a psychological collapse.  Having acquired a gun, he decides to play out the role of the killer for real...

Hors jeu is the third film from Tunisian born director Kadim Dridi.  It lacks the originality and weight of his earlier successes, Pigalle and Bye bye and is generally a lacklustre and lumbering affair.

Despite some rather disappointing attempts at visual wizardry (most noticeably the half-hearted drugs trip), this is a surprisingly conventional film which should have gone much further in pushing the boundaries of originality.  The second half of the film in which Ange takes hostages at a dinner party attended by some well-known actors is poorly realised and lacks both humour and menace.  As a result, the impact of the ending fails to achieve its full tragic potential.

What brings the film to life are the excellent performances from its two lead actors. Philippe Ambrosini is both sympathetic and disturbing as the traumatised Ange, offering a performance very reminiscent of the great Patrick Dewaere.  However, even he is outshone by the comparatively unknown Rossy de Palma, who plays Ange’s girlfriend, Concepción.

De Palma’s presence dominates the film and even when she is in the company of such former stars as Miou-Miou and Patrick Bruel, she has no difficulty hogging the limelight.  Her unconventional gawkish appearance makes her an unusual female lead, but her charisma and obvious inexperience make her perfect for the part she plays in this film.

© James Travers 2001

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