Film Review
La Métamorphose des cloportes is a typically
French comedy policier of the kind that was very popular in the mid-1960s. After
the success of Georges Lautner's 1963 film
Les Tontons flingueurs, other directors were
keen to exploit the popularity of the comedy-thriller genre, and
La
Métamorphose des cloportes is perhaps one of the best of examples of its
kind.
Screenwriter Michel Audiard and actor Lino Ventura, two of the main reasons for the
success of
Les Tontons flingueurs, once again
apply their talents to a genre that clearly favours them both. Regarded as the definitive
hard man of the French thriller genre in the 1960s and 1970s, Ventura has great charisma
and style, and also a very individual penchant for downbeat comedy - all of which makes
him indispensable casting for a parody thriller. Several other notable names figure
in the cast list - Pierre Brasseur and Françoise Rosay, two actors with very distinguished
filmographies stretching back to the 1920s, and Charles Aznavour, who subsequently became
one of France's most successful pop singers.
Unlike many comedy thrillers of the
1960s,
La Métamorphose des cloportes retains
its appeal, partly through its seductive, unusually classy visual style, which is both
an homage and parody of film noir, and also through its restrained, off-the-wall humour.
Director Pierre Granier-Deferre is reputed for directing some stylish thrillers in the
1970s, but this is unquestionably one of his most inspired works.
© James Travers 2006
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
Three small-time crooks - Edmond, Arthur and Rouquemoute - are planning to mount a small-time
heist. To buy the equipment needed for this adventure, they trick notorious art
thief Alphonse to lend them some money in exchange for a share in the booty. The
robbery goes seriously awry and Alphonse alone is arrested. For the next five years,
whilst Alphonse stews in jail planning his revenge, his three former associates settle
into a respectable life. Arthur rears racehorses; Edmond runs an institute for Hindus;
and Rouquemoute has become an art dealer. Emerging from prison, Alphonse has just
one thought in his head: to crush the life out of these three worthless lice...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.