Rive droite, rive gauche (1984)
Directed by Philippe Labro

Film Review

Despite some racy music and some energetic, full-bodied cinematography (with some beautiful shots of Paris), this is a thriller that, somehow, just fails to miss its mark.  The acting, the script, the direction - everything appears to be above par, yet there is a sense that it could be better.  There are some respectable performances from the lead actors, Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye, although their apparent nonchalance at being in the sights of some hardened killers is a little worrying.  Carole Bouquet offers probably the best performance as the panther-like vindictive wife of Depardieu's character - in fact, she comes across far more menacing than either the corrupt financier or his psychopathic henchmen.

Whilst the film has pace and energy, it does lack a genuine sense of menace - an essential ingredient for a French thriller.  In fact, when we finally discover how easily Depardieu's character manages to dispatch his opponent, there is a real sense of disappointment.  From the film's build up, we are led to expect something akin to Syney Pollack's 1993 film The Firm, with Depardieu playing the Tom Cruise role.  When we realise that the bad guys are nothing but dim-witted ineffectual wimps, any feeling of suspense and concern for the good guys evaporates rather quickly.

Film Synopsis

Paul Séanques is a young business lawyer who, along with his associate Guarrigue, runs one of Paris's most successful law firms on the capital's Right Bank.  His most important client is Pervillard, a ruthless financier who calls upon Paul's services to represent him in a high-profile case in which he is accused of stealing funds intended as humanitarian aid.   Despite the enormous salary he earns, Paul is growingly increasingly dissatisfied with his work and realises he is nothing more than a lackey for the rich and powerful.  On the other side of the river, Sacha Vernakis is beginning to have doubts about her own work with a major public relations agency.  Her clients come from the same privileged class as Paul's, mostly politicians and civil servants obsessed with their public image.  By chance, Paul and Sacha meet at a reception and find they have a mutual attraction as well as a shared revulsion for their work.  By now Paul has come to realise that there is some truth in the allegations against Pervillard and publicly denounces him in a live television debate.  Pervillard is not the kind of man who can forgive such a flagrant act of betrayal. Before he knows it, Paul becomes his client's target in a merciless vendetta, into which Sacha is helplessly drawn...