Michel Serrault Movies

The very busy actor Michel Serrault lends his talents to the depiction of a monstre sacree of French literature, the extremely repugnant but very clever Paul Leautaud, who was famous for his rude, clever observations and his epigrams. Although unkempt and very mean, his rapier-like wit and strong lust were sufficiently magnetic that at the time of this film he was engaged in a long-term relationship with his equally vile mistress (Annie Girardot), and a new relationship with a librarian (Aurore Clement) who is a fan of his writing. The story is based on the author's personal diaries from the period. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

This "policier" was co-written by producer and star Alain Delon with director Jose Pinheiro. It tells the story of a group of right-wing cops have begun carrying out vigilante justice on drug dealers and other crime figures who might otherwise avoid punishment for their misdeeds. Police inspector Grindel (Delon) understands the feelings which motivate these deeds, but does not approve. However, he is not highly motivated to put an end to the group's activities until it begins to appear that they are now attacking fellow cops for reasons which are unclear. Grindel sets to work to uncover the culprits, and in a climactic scene, confronts his colleague Scatti (Michel Serrault). Delon, a familiar figure in French cinema, has a great many films to his credit not only as an actor, but as a producer, director and screenwriter. This film marks his return to the screen as an actor after a three year absence. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

When Catherine (Nathalie Baye) is caught with her illicit lover by her father-in-law Paul (Michel Serrault), the concerned father leaves to tell his son Thomas (Francois Dunoyer) about the incident. Paul is injured in an auto accident and returns home in a wheelchair unable to speak. Catherine's guilt weighs heavily on her as she hopes to never let Thomas know she was unfaithful. She panics and seeks a way to eliminate Paul in this psychological thriller. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This parody of the detective-story genre merrily detours into spoofing French foibles as well, making it more of an exercise in verbal gymnastics than a narrative with a mission. Esther (Juliette Binoche) is a veterinarian who is certain that her sister has been murdered by her brother-in-law. She convinces two members of the Academie Francaise, the prestigious institution that protects the virginity of the French language, to investigate. Both men (Michel Serrault and Michel Piccoli) are enamored of the woman and are quite willing to enter into competition for her favors. As might be expected from academicians of any ilk, they are inept at digging into a murder mystery and bumble their way through one incident after another. Corpses continue to pile up (not in front of the camera, however) while the two men are sidetracked by their interest in language. Given their positions, they do not want that murdered either. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

On Ne Meurt Que Deux Fois, a French murder mystery based upon a novel of the same name, is an unusual, involving film with excellent performances by its entire cast. Police Inspector Staniland (Michel Serrault) is investigating the death of a pianist. While conducting his investigation and looking through the victim's apartment, he meets Barbara (Charlotte Rampling), the mistress of the murder victim. Barbara confesses to the crime, but Staniland, based on his observations and experience, does not believe her. He then sets out to find the truth, with surprising results. Both Serrault and Rampling are outstanding in this well-directed, well-paced film. On Ne Meurt Que Deux Fois was also released as He Died With His Eyes Open and won the Jury Prize at the 1985 Montreal World Film Festival. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Gaetan (Michel Serrault) is a television comic whose jokes have kept his program alive, but in more recent times, his senior gag writers have not had their hand on the pulse of his changing audience. A series of circumstances bring two young cafe-theater comedy writers to the rescue (Thierry Lhermitte and Gerard Jugnot), partially due to Gaetan's efforts. The new material is so successful that Gaetan is offered the lead in a serious feature-length movie, and if he had any hesitation about the venture, his wife squelched it with visions of a higher social and economic standing for them both. But the project does not go exactly as planned, and before he knows it, Gaetan runs into trouble. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this low-brow satire, French comedian Coluche exploits his talents for comic vulgarity in his role as the 10th-century King Dagobert I. The king's intestinal and sexual problems loom large as he survives an attack on his royal caravan then barely makes it to Rome to personally give thanks to the Pope. After he arrives at the Vatican, he becomes involved in the battle between two contenders for the papacy (Ugo Tognazzi in both roles) and has to face the machinations of a ruthless Byzantine princess (Carole Bouquet). With humor that consistently hits below the belt, and an ending that clashes with the rest of the film, this satire will not play the same to all audiences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this suspense thriller inspired by the novel Eye of the Beholder by Marc Behm, Catherine (Isabelle Adjani), a serial killer, seduces men and then murders them just before moving on to the next victim. She spreads her mayhem through various countries in Europe, only slightly ahead of the mentally anguished detective (Michel Serrault) who tracks her -- he fantasizes she is his long-lost daughter and disposes of her trail of corpses to foil the police. Catherine pauses for a real love affair with a blind architect (Sami Frey) but the detective is overcome by jealousy and causes the man's death. This drives Catherine into despair -- and a return to her psychotic killing. As the police dragnet closes in, both Catherine and the detective are brought closer to a final confrontation with their internal demons. The version released in the U.S. runs only 96 min. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

The Last Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst is a non-fiction book by Ron Hall and Nicholas Tomblin about a man who first cheated to win an international sailing competition and then disappeared from his sailboat in the final lap of the race -- a story that serves as the inspiration for this film. Director Christian de Chalonge and writer Andre G. Brunelin have changed the setting to France, with a Frenchman named Julien Dantec (Jacques Perrin) as the sailboat enthusiast and the international race is now a French competition. Julien is actually an electronics professional who is down on his luck when he decides to enter the race. He is led astray from his original good intentions by a low-life press agent who convinces him it would be well worth his while to win the race by illegal maneuvering. As he sets off, flashbacks tell how he came to be on the sailboat; later he has long monologues -- several of them, and in-between he occasionally battles to stay afloat on an uncooperative sea. For awhile, he sets down in Brazil when he considers abandoning the race, but seemingly compelled to finish what he started, he continues onward with his ill-fated journey. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Based on a mystery novel by Leo Malet, lead character Detective Burma (comic Michel Serrault) has luxurious office digs - shared with his oddball cat - but he himself is neither as sophisticated or as quick-witted as Malet's literary creation. Director Jean-Luc Miesch (29 years old), has missed that aspect of Malet's detective in his own interpretation of a zany, off-the-wall Nestor Burma. Burma's newest case involves corruption in the drug-dealing underworld of the punk rockers, especially rock star Boc Craddock (played by Alain Bashung, the French rock singer). In order to go undercover to obtain information, Burma has to impersonate an over-the-hill punk rock enthusiast, with just enough absurdity to sparkle in contrast with the rest of the action. If his ploy works and the fates are with him, perhaps he will solve his case after all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this French science fiction thriller, nuclear war breaks out over Europe, and a group of visitors to a local chateau take cover in the basement. When they venture outside after the fighting stops, they discover that the chateau has sustained serious damage and the surrounding lands have been laid to waste. The survivors try to rebuild the house as best they can, and they begin growing food in order to sustain themselves, until they encounter Fulbert (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a deranged fascist who is leading a band of ragged survivors who live in several abandoned railroad cars. The survivors of the chateau defeat Fulbert, and his forces join with the people of the chateau to build a new society. However, they are soon ambushed by government troops, who are rounding up survivors of the nuclear attack and relocating them to concentration camps. Three of the chateau survivors are able to escape and attempt to make their way to safety. Malevil (named for the chateau where most of the action takes place) won a 1981 Cesar Award in France for Best Production Design. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This French comedy stars Michel Serrault as a bland corporation functionary who'll never get ahead so long as he remains a dull little man. Unable to be a success on his own terms, Serrault invents an "assistant", the dynamic, go-getting "Mr. Davis". Pretending to be Mr. Davis' intermediary, Serrault at last makes it big in the business world. A crisis develops when Serrault's investors demand to meet Mr. Davis in person--and when several covetous young ladies show up, claiming to be the mothers of Mr. Davis' children! We aren't about to tell you how Serrault wriggles out of his dilemma: we want you to enjoy The Associate yourself. An American version of the same story, released in 1996, stars Whoopie Goldberg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Michel Serrault plays a double role in this lighthearted comedy. An ineffectual actor is called on to portray his look-alike cousin, a prominent politician who is driven into hiding after he learns of an assassination plot. Jean Poiret plays the political consultant who recruits the uncured ham for the role of his life. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide