Pinot simple flic (1984) - film review

Robert Pinot is an ordinary policeman who patrols the streets of Paris’ tough thirteenth arrondissement.  His work brings him into contact with Marylou, a delinquent young woman who takes drugs.  Pinot’s attempts to repair Marylou’s broken life prove fruitless when her drug-pushing boyfriend appears on the scene.

Gérard Jugnot made his directorial debut with this rather touching and, in parts, amusing film about an ordinary French policeman.  At the time, Jugnot was best known for his work as a comic actor, famously as a member of the popular comedy troupe L’équipe du Splendid.  With Pinot simple flic, Jugnot not only demonstrated his potential as a director, but also his ability to take on a more serious acting role.

Jugnot’s Pinot is almost as recognisable as Tati’s postman in Jour de fête, and wins our sympathy just as easily.  It certainly makes a welcome contrast to the more familiar (i.e. Belmondo/Delon) portrayal of law enforcers as tough, indestructible supermen who live in luxury apartments surrounded by beautiful young women.

The  film’s pseudo-documentary style is equally unusual but doesn’t quite work, probably because the film is centred so heavily around one character and works less well as a satire on police methods.  However, a good performance from Jugnot and some tongue-in-cheek comedy makes this a very respectable first film.

© James Travers 2004

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