Le Garde du corps
1984 Comedy / Thriller   
Director: François Leterrier
Starring: Jane Birkin, Gérard Jugnot, Sami Frey, Didier Kaminka, Nicole Jamet


 
Summary
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...?

Credits
  • Director: François Leterrier
  • Script: Didier Kaminka, François Leterrier
  • Photo: Jean-Paul Meurisse, Eduardo Serra
  • Music: Jean-Pierre Sabar
  • Cast: Jane Birkin (Barbara Penning), Gérard Jugnot (Paul Domec), Sami Frey (Julien Duchemin), Didier Kaminka (André), Nicole Jamet (Claudine), Evelyne Didi (Jocelyne), Daniel Langlet (François), Elisa Servier (Catherine), Jacqueline Doyen (Yvette Domec, mère de Paul), François Siener (Martial), Flore Fitzgerald (Sara), Simone Roche (Huguette), Jacques Mathou (Le gardien du parc)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 100 min



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Review
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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