Jean Poiret Movies
Particularly popular in his native France, but also well known in Europe, actor, screenwriter, and playwright Jean Poiret typically played sardonic fellows and police inspectors, notably in Claude Chabrol's Poulet au Vinaigre (1985) and in Francoise Truffaut's Dernier Metro (1980). As an actor, he made his feature debut in Cette Sacrée Gamine (1956) and as a writer, Poiret made a splash with the play and screenplay for the smash hit La Cage aux Folles (1978). He subsequently helped write screenplays for two sequels. Poiret produced one film, Gueule de L'autre (1979). Just before he died of heart failure in March 1992, he penned and directed the Cesar-nominated comedy La Zebre. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1960
Jean-Pierre Cassel is ideally cast as the hopelessly optimistic Candide in this noir updating of Voltaire's classic 18th-century social satire. Candide has been assured by his ivory-tower professor (Pierre Brasseur) that whatever fate befalls him, he will be all the better for it. Armed with the confidence of the ignorant, Candide is abused by practically everyone he comes across (he has a particularly rough time in a German POW camp), but somehow emerges with his faith in humanity unscathed. His picaresque adventures take him all the way to the Americas, both North and South. Just as in most stage versions of Candide, some of the supporting actors play double and triple roles: Robert Manuel, for example, portrays all the German officers Candide meets. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Brasseur, Michel Simon, (more)
- 1958
Michel Serrault plays the title character in Le Naif Aux 40 Enfants (The Innocent with 40 Children). The hero is a naïve young teacher who hopes to impose modern methods on a small-town school. Instead, he falls in love with the gorgeous mother (Silva Koscina) of one of the students. His subsequent dereliction of duty results in professional disaster, but there's a happy ending all the same. Despite the considerable thespic talents of stars Michel Serrault and Silva Koscina, Le Naif Aux 40 Enfants is effortlessly stolen by its dozens of child performers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Serrault, Jean Poiret, (more)
- 1958
Based on a story by one of France's favorite satirists, Georges Courteline, this is the second time a director has taken on the tale of bureaucracy gone mad. The first version was a 1937 film by Yves Mirande, this 1959 remake is by Henri Diamant-Berger. The story is set at the turn of the 20th century and focuses on the life and times of one government worker in one of the many Civil Service offices that dot the national map. A misunderstanding arises that sets up a series of unpredictable circumstances, all bringing down the bureaucracy to the level of the absurd. A bit old-fashioned and talky, this film would not necessarily amuse all audiences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Brasseur, Noël-Noël, (more)
- 1957
Assassins et Voleurs (Killers and Thieves) was the penultimate offering from French filmmaker Sacha Guitry. Though seriously ill and confined to a wheelchair, Guitry was still able to invest a great deal of energy in the project. Surprised by a burglar (Michel Serrault), the doleful Philippe (Jean Poiret) regains his composure, then asks the thief for his assistance. It seems that Philippe wants to commit suicide but hasn't the nerve to pull off the deed himself. In flashback, Philippe recounts the events that led up to this critical and anxious moment. As it turns out, our "hero" is a bigger criminal, both actual and moral, than the nonplused burglar could ever be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Serrault, Jean Poiret, (more)
The title of this French sex farce translates to That Darn Kid. The "kid" in question is nymphet Brigitte Bardot, here cast as a wide-eyed innocent. While her father hides out from the police, Bardot is protected by nightclub singer Jean Bretonniere. The two eventually fall in love, but a series of humorous complications keep them apart. Brigitte Bardot is quite convincing as the breathless (and sometimes clueless) heroine, while Mischa Auer provides a few laughs as an overly demonstrative ballet teacher (not unlike his character in You Can't Take it With You). The plot of Cette Sacree Gamine was later reworked for the 1965 Elvis Presley vehicle Girl Happy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brigitte Bardot, Jean Poiret, (more)
