Podium (2004)

Director:

Yann Moix

Writers:

Olivier Dazat (writer)
Yann Moix (novel)

Release Date:

11 February 2004 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Sport

Tagline:

Name: Bernard Frédéric. Job: Claude François.

Plot:

Bernand Fréderic is a mediocre bank executive, married and with a son. He used to have antother profession: to be French star Claude Francois...

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Television | Dog | Jogging | Flashback

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Benoît Poelvoorde	...	Bernard Frédéric
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Couscous
Julie Depardieu	...	Véro
Marie Guillard	...	Vanessa
Anne Marivin	...	Anne
Odile Vuillemin	...	Odile
Nadège Beausson-Diagne	...	Nadège
Nicolas Jouxtel	...	Sébastien
Olivier Mag	...	Claude David
Evelyne Thomas	...	Herself / Elle-même
Karine Lyachenko	...	Jacqueline
Bruno Abraham-Kremer	...	Monsieur Lombard
Dominique Besnehard	...	Le psychologue
Armelle	...	Laure
Thomas Derichebourg	...	Le garçon restaurant à volonté

Also Known As:

O sosias (Greece) (cable TV title) [el]

Runtime:

France:95 min

Country:

Belgium | France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Greece:K | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Fidélité Productions

Trivia:

"Podium" refers to the title of the magazine created by Claude Francois in 1968.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jean-Philippe (2006)

Soundtrack:

Chanson populaire (ça s'en va et ça revient)

French Idol for Masters. A true treat in the genre, and above all, funny and charming.

Podium. Directed by Yann Moix. ***

I haven't had this much fun for a while!

Courtesy of the 8th French Cinema Tour, "Podium" just hit theaters in a festival-like run here; Oh! I got so lucky! It's such a funny comedy, one of the best I've seen coming out of La France, and one of the best of the year for sure.

Benoit Poelvoorde is Belgium's national treasure for sure. He's performance is outstanding; he played Bernard Fréderic with such emotion, wit and realism that I'm gonna be real mad if he doesn't get a Best Actor nomination at the Cesars. The thing that is so great, is that his character is hateful and charismatic at the same time. He believes he's a star, so he starts acting like one: mean and rudely. He's a great singer and dancer too (maybe Kevin Spacey could borrow him some ideas).

Great writing, solid direction, hot French chics (or according to Bernard, "sexual bombs") in a comedy that smartly explores the obsession for fame, celebrity and pop idols. You won't regret if you watch it. Believe, it is worth it.

The tribute to French super star, Claude Francois is there, making the whole thing nostalgic. And one more thing... perhaps Americans should keep their hands out of it, and not starting to think about a remake. I suppose it will start its international commercial run in 2005, so where it's available, don't miss it!

7/10