When his right arm and only companion has to be absent for several weeks, Georges, an aging movie star, is assigned a replacement, Aïssa. Between the disillusioned actor and the young security guard, a unique bond will be forged.
Posted at 1:30 p.m.
Constance Meyer chose a fairly conventional formula for her first feature film, too often exploited in French cinema: the incongruous encounter between two characters whose dissimilarities intrigue is at the heart of Robust.
On one side, Georges (Gérard Depardieu), a grumpy old actor disgusted with his profession, and on the other, Aïssa (Déborah Lukumuena), a disciplined and considerate young wrestler and security guard. When the latter is assigned to the bodyguard of the disillusioned colossus, a kind of magic operates between these two solitudes, gradually bringing the protagonists closer until they develop an unlikely friendship.
In a role cut out for him – not to say modeled on him – Depardieu is impeccable. But who is still surprised to see him shine in grumpy roles? Déborah Lukumuena bursts the screen, returning the ball easily to the sacred mountain with whom she shares the limelight. César for Best Supporting Actress in 2017 in divinethe young actress confirms her talent here.
The tandem of actors works wonderfully. But their affectionate complicity does not make up for the weaknesses of the scenario, a sort of empty shell with good foundations, but whose soul never reveals itself. Even if the writing of Constance Meyer serves the talent of Depardieu and Lukumuena well, who deliver dialogues that are most often subtle, we have the impression that the screenwriter and director has not found the touch of madness that would have propelled her history in the upper echelons.
However, we salute the skilful photo direction, the choice of sobriety allowing us to linger over the looks and the discreet affection that Georges and Aïssa have for each other. David Babin (alias Babx) signs a remarkable soundtrack, whose dreamlike quality nourishes the intimate dimension of the film.
Over useless subplots and insignificant scenes, interest in this surprising tandem gives way to boredom. Is the robustness mentioned in the title, a common point between the protagonists, ultimately the theme of this monotonous work? To ask the question is to utter that Robust does not hit its target.
Drama
Robust
Constance Mayer
With Gérard Depardieu and Déborah Lukumuena
1:35 a.m.