Les Fugitifs (1986)

	Also Known As: The Fugitives
	Year of first release: 1986
	Director: Francis Veber (La chèvre, Le jaguar, Le Dîner de Cons)
	Actors: Pierre Richard (Le Grand Blond avec une Chaussure Noire), Gérard Depardieu (Les Anges Gardiens, Marseille TV-series), Jean Carmet (La Soupe aux Choux)
	Country: F
	Genre: Comedy, Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 26.12.2017, 40" TV
Synopsis: Coming out from jail, Lucas (Depardieu) has decided to change his life and behave like a good citizen. But when he is taken hostage in a bank by a hare-brained robber, no cops can believe he is not part of this action.
Review: After the disappointment of watching La vengeance du serpent à plumes, I insisted on finding a good French Comedy for my Christmas holidays and thus tuned in to Les Fugitifs which was showing on TV. Like other movies by Francis Veber, it features the character of the likeable idiot called François Pignon (a well-found name), this time like some others played by Pierre Richard at the top his comedian career, and like in La chèvre he does an excellent job at playing it. Most of the humor plays obviously (and again like in La chèvre) in the contrast between this "simple" man and the "brute" played by Depardieu. And some scenes that made me laugh when I was a kid worked again this time. But what really strikes a cord in that movie is the motive for which Pignon does what he does: his little daughter who hasn't spoken since her mother died. That story and the acting by the incredible little girl are enough to make the former bank-robber melt and start to show the feeling hidden in his big heart. Different from the pure comedy Les Anges Gardiens also with Depardieu, Les Fugitifs is much more emotional, even naive at times. To be mentioned is the soundtrack by Vladimir Cosma that includes some very strong and recognizable themes, and hit you at the right moment. When well used, kids in movies (especially "weak" ones) can bring a high level of emotions to the story (like in Forrest Gump or in the recently reviewed Mercury Rising). Note that a couple of years later Veber directed an American remake with Nick Nolte entitled The Three Fugitives.
Rating: 7 /10