“Coup de Torchon 1981” is a French film directed by Bertrand Tavernier. It follows the story of Lucien Cordier, a cowardly police chief in a small African town. Cordier becomes disillusioned with the corruption and violence in his community, eventually deciding to take matters into his own hands. Using brutal force, he begins to eliminate those he sees as the source of the town’s problems. However, as his actions become more extreme, it becomes clear that Cordier’s morality may be just as corrupt as those he seeks to punish. The film is a darkly satirical exploration of power and corruption, with shades of film noir and Westerns.
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Review
Oh, good people of the world! Come hither and hear a tale of reckoning, deceit, and bloodshed. A tale of justice, or is it revenge? A tale of Coup de Torchon, the French film that has captured hearts and minds with its dark humor, gritty realism, and social commentary.
The year was 1981 when Bertrand Tavernier decided to adapt Jim Thompson’s novel “Pop. 1280” for the silver screen. The result is a masterpiece that defies genres and expectations. It is a crime drama, a black comedy, a tragedy, and a satire all at once. It is set in 1938 in French West Africa, where racism, corruption, colonialism, and poverty coexist uneasily.
We meet Lucien Cordier (Philippe Noiret), the local police chief who is despised by everyone in town. He is meek, henpecked by his wife Huguette (Stéphane Audran), bullied by his fellow officers and berated by the locals who call him “Le cretin des Alpes.” He is also an adulterer who lusts after Rose (Isabelle Huppert), the wife of one of his subordinates.
One day a new teacher arrives in town named Anne (Evelyne Bouix), whom Lucien falls for immediately. However, she is not receptive to his advances as she sees through his façade and realizes he is spineless and corrupt. Meanwhile, two thugs from Paris arrive in town looking for trouble. They start harassing the locals and acting like they own the place.
Lucien decides to take matters into his own hands and starts eliminating those who have wronged him or crossed him. He gradually becomes more confident and ruthless as he realizes that power comes from fear rather than respect. He also learns that he can get away with anything if he plays his cards right.
The film is a commentary on the abuse of power, the corruptibility of authority, and the rituals of violence that sustain social order. It delves into the psyche of a weak man who turns into a monster when given the opportunity. It also explores the dynamics of gender, race, and class in a colonial setting where justice is arbitrary and morality is relative.
The acting in this film is superb. Noiret gives an unforgettable performance as Lucien, conveying both his vulnerability and his cruelty convincingly. Huppert shines as Rose, portraying her as both seductive and vulnerable. Audran is excellent as Huguette, showing her as both nagging and sympathetic.
The cinematography by Bruno de Keyzer is outstanding as well. He captures the harsh beauty of West Africa with its deserts, mountains, and forests. He also uses light and shadow to create a surreal atmosphere that reflects Lucien’s mental state.
The score by Philippe Sarde complements the film perfectly with its jazzy rhythms and haunting melodies. The theme song “Le P’tit Quinquin” by chanson singer Alexendre Desrousseaux adds to the film’s darkly humorous tone.
Coup de Torchon was not only a critical success but also a commercial one. It won four César Awards in 1982 for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Noiret), and Best Production Design (Alexandre Trauner). It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1984 but lost to Fanny and Alexander.
Overall, Coup de Torchon is a must-see for anyone who loves cinema that challenges norms and conventions. It is a film that rewards repeat viewings with its subtle nuances and rich themes. As Shakespeare once said: “All the world’s a stage / And all the men and women merely players.” Coup de Torchon shows us what happens when a man decides to play the role of a villain and becomes one in reality.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 128
- Release : 1981-11-04
- Genre : Comedy, Crime, Drama
- Cast : Philippe Noiret as Lucien Cordier, Isabelle Huppert as Rose Mercaillou, Jean-Pierre Marielle as Le Peron, Stéphane Audran as Huguette Cordier, Eddy Mitchell as Nono
- Crew : Pierre-William Glenn as Director of Photography, Jim Thompson as Novel, Alexandre Trauner as Production Design, Philippe Sarde as Original Music Composer, Bertrand Tavernier as Director
- Popularity 9.001
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Les Films de la Tour, Little Bear, Films A2
- Summary : A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life, and resorts to drastic means to achieve it.
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