Le Garde du corps (1984)

Le Garde du corps is a French comedy thriller film first released in 1984, directed by François Leterrier.  The film stars Jane Birkin, Gérard Jugnot, Sami Frey, Didier Kaminka and Nicole Jamet.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


Through his mother’s dating agency, Paul meets Barbara, an attractive English journalist.  Whilst he becomes besotted with her, she has no interest in him and, instead, falls for the charms of another man, Julien.  When he learns that Julien has had two other wives who have both died in suspicious circumstances, Paul becomes anxious for Barbara’s safety.  Certain that Julien intends to murder Barbara for her life assurance money, Paul follows the couple on their honeymoon in Morocco.  When he learns that Julien has abandoned his wife in the desert, Paul’s worst fears seem to be confirmed.  However, Barbara ignores his warnings, believing he is merely upset by her decision to marry Julien instead of him.  Is Paul imagining things or is Barbara’s life really in peril...?

This unusual mix of comedy and suspense thriller would be pretty indigestible were it not for the contributions from its three lead actors, Jane Birkin, Gérard Jugnot and Sami Frey.  At the risk of being eternally typecast as the sympathetic loser, Jugnot plays the part for which he is best suited and gives great entertainment value.  Birkin is utterly charming, her imperfect French adding to both her charm and vulnerability, whilst Sami Frey obviously relishes playing a comic book villain.  The film’s bizarre black humour and total lack of subtlety makes it a satisfying counterpoint to cinema’s more sophisticated thrillers.

© James Travers 2006

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