Le Président (1961)
Directed by Henri Verneuil

Film Review

Few films stand alone on the strength of a single actor's performance, but Le Président, an exemplary adaptation of a great Georges Simenon novel, is one such film.  Although Henri Verneuil's direction cannot be faulted and Michel Audiard's script is up to the writer's usual high standard, it is Jean Gabin's central performance above all else which makes this film so compelling and so memorable.

Gabin, possibly France's greatest actor, excels himself in a role that could very well have been conceived for him.  He actually plays two roles in this film - the middle-aged prime minister who refuses to compromise his principles and ruthlessly demolishes his opponents, and then the elderly ex-prime minister who, despite increasing infirmity, still adheres to his beliefs, but with a touch more humanity.  You might almost think two completely different actors were playing these two roles, such is Gabin's ability to subtly alter his character's behaviour.  Gabin lent his talents to several impressive Simenon adaptations, notably Jean Delannoy's Maigret tend un piège (1958) and Henri Decoin's La Vérité sur Bébé Donge (1952).

As with most political dramas, not a lot of action takes place in Le Président.  Indeed, watching it is like watching a game of chess being played between two grand masters - the magnificent Bernard Blier playing Gabin's opponent in a dramatic battle of wills.   Some viewers will find this an unbearably slow film, but for those who enjoy character-based dramas or political dramas it is definitely worth a viewing.

Film Synopsis

Émile Beaufort was once Prime Minister of France, before a public defeat forced him to resign his position.  He now lives in retirement at his grand house in the country, a solitary old man who has nothing else to do but dictate his memoirs to his secretary, Mademoiselle Milleran.   Now it seems that the French government is in the throes of another serious crisis and Beaufort's former political rival, Philippe Chalamont, has been nominated to take over as Prime Minister.  Beaufort has his personal reasons for wanting Chalamont to fail, since the man had been instrumental in his own downfall twenty years ago.  In his possession he has an incriminating document which, if it were made public, could well destroy Chalamont's chances of becoming Prime Minister and might even bring about a sudden end to his political career.  As he reflects on the turbulent events that forced him out of office Beaufort considers whether he should help or hinder his old rival...