L'ivresse du pouvoir (2006)

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Odile Barski (writer)
Claude Chabrol (writer)

Release Date:

22 February 2006 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A magistrate investigates a corporate executive.

Plot Keywords:

Investigation | Car Crash | Gloves | Cell Phone | Nephew

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Isabelle Huppert	...	Jeanne Charmant-Killman
François Berléand	...	Michel Humeau
Patrick Bruel	...	Jacques Sibaud
Marilyne Canto	...	Erika
Robin Renucci	...	Philippe Charmant-Killman
Thomas Chabrol	...	Félix
Jean-François Balmer	...	Boldi
Pierre Vernier	...	Président Martino
Jacques Boudet	...	Descarts
Philippe Duclos	...	Jean-Baptiste Holéo
Roger Dumas	...	René Lange
John Arnold	...	Homme jaguar #1
Jean-Christophe Bouvet	...	Me Parlebas
Jacques Bouanich	...	Le gardien de la prison
Benoît Charpentier	...	Journaliste économique

Also Known As:

A Comedy of Power (Canada: English title)
Comedy of Power (Singapore: English title)
Geheime Staatsaffären (Germany)
La comédie du pouvoir (France) (working title)
The Comedy of Power (USA) (literal English title)

Runtime:

USA:110 min | France:110 min | Argentina:110 min

Country:

France | Germany

Language:

French

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | France:U | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Sweden:Btl | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Hôpital, Le Vésinet, Yvelines, France

Company:

Alicéléo

Trivia:

The scenario is based on a true story, the "Affaire Elf" political and financial scandal in France.

Soundtrack:

Peer Gynt

Dry. Very dry but very good!

L'IVRESSE DU POUVOIR, which was oddly re-titled as A COMEDY OF POWER for the North American market (I saw it under LUST FOR POWER on cable), is a very good French flick about corruption in the government and a magistrate's attempts to bring the bad guys to justice. The magistrate is played by the sublime Isabelle Huppert. One could say that the film can viewed as some sort of black comedy about how controlling the corrupting qualities of power is ultimately futile. The film is played straight. There are no big Hollywood moments in it which for many will turn off most viewers. The film can be described as dry. Very dry. There are no mushy sentimental moments. No sex. No violence. Very little swearing. The dramatics are very low key. Heck, the music is almost non-existing. The direction is so minimalistic that it creates a tension of sorts in that I expected the director to shock us with something really bad just waiting to happen at any moment and ready to derail the whole controlled tone of the film.

The dialogue is spoken quickly and even though I understand French, the subtitles were good in keeping track with the rapid fire exchanges.

Aside from the assured direction, the main reason to watch L'IVRESSE DU POUVOIR is Isabelle Huppert's laser sharp performance. She's so good and direct, not a wasted moment or emotion in her entire performance. It's something to behold. Watching the petite woman, with her red gloves and purse, corralling all these corrupt folks, is unforgettable and it's what remains in your head days after seeing the film.

A very satisfying movie that's a nice change from the usually over-the-top approach most films take these days.