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Directed by: Claude Zidi Starring: Thierry Lhermitte, Miou-Miou, Eddy Mitchell La Totale! (aka The Jackpot!) takes a look at the secret double life of a man named François Voisin (Thierry Lhermitte). Known as a boring salesman to his family (Miou-Miou and Sagamore Stévenin), he's really a domestic super-spy working for a top secret branch of the French Government. When François suspects that his wife is having an affair, he abuses his status and privileges as a government agent to try win her back via elaborate means. But unfortunately for François, this won’t be the only thing from his job that will begin to have an effect on his home life… As you may have guessed, La Totale! is the 1991 French movie that was later remade by James Cameron as one of my favourite films, True Lies, with both films sharing the same basic plot and many similar scenes. The two films also feature a number of other elements in common, for example, in saddling the protagonists with comedy relief partners, and the fact that in both films the other man is named Simon and is a used car salesman. Also of note is that the infamous Ingram falling down the stairs sequence is present in both versions, and in fact almost appears to be recreated shot for shot in True Lies. Of course, with a $95 million or so difference in budget there is bound to be some differences with the most striking being obviously the far smaller scale of the film. Confined to only a few not-so-exotic locations and a HQ that looks like a retrofitted parking garage, this also means fewer and far less elaborate action sequences, and a design aesthetic that ultimately gives La Totale! a much grittier feel. However, this also means that the fun, almost spoof-like atmosphere of True Lies is unfortunately missing, due to the fact that this film is unable to play on an inherent extravagant, over-the-top element in the film like Cameron was able to in his movie. Thierry Lhermitte also makes a less compelling hero than Arnie but that’s expected, and although Miou-Miou does get briefly naked, Jamie Lee’s dancing was all Cameron’s idea. In the end La Totale! is actually a fairly average movie with an interesting take on spy movie conventions. Although with some entertainment value, bucking the trend of most remakes, True Lies the far superior film with it’s masterful integration of spectacular over-the-top action with comedic undertones. However, as an exercise of comparing what’s different in the two films, La Totale! becomes a rather interesting viewing experience. 3/5 PROS: Seeing the original incarnations for things that would later pop up in True Lies. CONS: The film isn't as enjoyable as the remake. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103103/ mrkillboy fucked around with this message at 14:19 on May 4, 2004 |
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May 4, 2004 05:10
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