Grosse fatigue (1994)

Director:

Michel Blanc

Writers:

Michel Blanc (scenario and dialogue)
Bertrand Blier (original idea)

Release Date:

12 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

What is going on here?!? French director, Michel Blanc (as Himself), just doesn't understand why his life is suddenly falling apart...

Plot Keywords:

Cinema | Identity | Paris France | Role Reversal | Double

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Michel Blanc	...	Michel Blanc / Patrick Olivier
Carole Bouquet	...	Carole Bouquet
Philippe Noiret	...	Philippe Noiret
Josiane Balasko	...	Herself
Marie-Anne Chazel	...	Marie-Anne Chazel
Christian Clavier	...	Christian Clavier
Guillaume Durand	...	Guillaume Durand
Charlotte Gainsbourg	...	Charlotte Gainsbourg
David Hallyday	...	David Hallyday
Estelle Lefébure	...	Estelle Hallyday (as Estelle Hallyday)
Gérard Jugnot	...	Himself
Dominique Lavanant	...	Herself
Thierry Lhermitte	...	Thierry Lhermitte
Mathilda May	...	Mathilda May
Roman Polanski	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Dead Tired

MPAA:

Rated R for language and nudity.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | Spain:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Luberon, Vaucluse, France

Company:

Gaumont

Movie Connections:

References Trop belle pour toi (1989)

Soundtrack:

Pomp and Circumstances Marches (Opus 39 no. 2 in D major)

Totally unexpected treat

This film was made in 1994 when Altman did READY TO WEAR(in which Michel Blanc appeared coincidentally)and the extraordinary thing is that GROSSE FATIGUE accomplishes to be more of an Altman film than PRET A PORTER. It is to Blanc's credit that he is able to make the first really Gaelic silly American film with a major cast of well known French actors as well as people like Regine and director Roman Polanski in cameos which emphasize the problems of French cinema and its state at the time;and even how it is today. There are moments reminiscent of Blake Edwards PINK PANTHER absurdities with gorgeous Bouquet doing a wonderful takeoff of Capucine.Blanc himself does a French Woody Allen without effort even though his opinions are less coy and more direct than Allen's typical delivery.Paris, Provence; even Cannes or the Carlton NEVER looked better and made me yearn to hop a concorde.I have no idea how I missed this when it first came out, but I am still laughing at how much fun I had at discovering this quirky, yet well executed comedy. The mistakes made are more charming than jarring and Paris never looked more Parisian. A unique film from France which deserved more promotion.