Benoit Verhaert Movies
- 2009
Gerard Depardieu, Oliver Marchal, and Asia Argento star in this thriller about a Paris police officer who puts his own career on the line to help his lifelong friend, a crooked narcotics cop who does some drug trafficking on the side. Mat works the night beat in the city, and his best friend Franck works in the drug squad. But after busting the local drug dealers, Franck turns a tidy profit by selling their product at cut-rate prices. When Franck gets in over his head, it's up to Mat to help and old friend by taking matters into his own hands. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, Olivier Marchal, (more)
- 2002
Investigating the murder of the entire family of a known drug lord, Brussels police round up and interrogate another wily suspected drug lord, who is the probable enemy of the deceased in first-time director Philippe Blasband's psychological thriller Step by Step. Hubert Verkamen (Benoit Verhaert) -- who has been arrested numerous times by narcotics investigators without any successful convictions -- is brought in yet again as the chief suspect in the aforementioned massacre. Leading the interrogation are officers Mercier (Serge Lariviere) and Denoote (Federic Bodson), as all three are watched via video hook-up by division chief Bex (Yolande Moreau). Control of the interview quickly changes hands, as the extremely self-assured Verkaman sets out to destroy the integrity and honor of Bex and her officers -- aided by the ghost of his old gangster mentor, Mr. Chevalier (Philippe Noiret). But as the officers find Verkaman's weakness -- his pride -- they begin to gain an insight into the businessman's past that may lead them to bringing him down. Step By Step was an official selection in the 2002 Montreal World Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Benoit Verhaert, Philippe Noiret, (more)
A high-tech shut-in finds love in an unexpected place in this satirical comedy. Thomas (voice of Benoit Verhaert) is a profoundly agoraphobic 33-year-old man whose condition prevents him from leaving his apartment or allowing others in to visit. Fortunately for him, he rarely needs to do either; Thomas has been declared officially disabled, making him eligible for government services for the handicapped; he's also well-insured and has a claims representative (Alexandre von Sivers) ready to meet his every need. Thomas also has a high-tech "vision-phone" that allows him to communicate with the outside world without having to make actual contact. While Thomas' psychologist (Frederic Topart) tries to sort out his mental state, his insurance representative offers to help with his more personal needs: it seems the government provides prostitutes for the disabled, and Thomas is now eligible. Thomas speaks by phone with Eva (Aylin Yay), a State-funded call girl, and soon finds himself smitten -- so much so that he begins to ponder actually leaving his room. Meanwhile, the psychologist has registered Thomas with a phone-dating service as a more healthy alternative, subjecting Thomas to the not entirely welcome attentions of Melodie (Magali Pinglaut). Thomas Est Amoureux was shot on video entirely in "first person," with the viewer seeing only what Thomas himself would see through his "vision-phone." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
