This movie is based on the book, the President, written by Georges Simenon. But, the end is so different from the book. Emile Beaufort, the President, that means, former Prime Minister, lives his retirement in his house... Built with flashbacks, we see him 20 years before, trying to govern France, between political pressures from his majority, specially when he need to devalue the Franc or start building Europe. He has to fire his assistant who became a political leader. But, The president has information that could end his career. That's the dominant point of the movie, and the difference with the book stands with Beaufort decision and capacity to act. Michel Audiard, the best French writer, wrote several wonderful sentences that could be used in Parliament.

I start watching the movie half way through, well at the passage where he speaks in front of the the Assembly and the speech written was very powerful. it reminded a lot about " Mr Smith goes to Washington" and how much Politician should be. full of ideals, beliefs and passion for humanity.There are a few lines at the end that are quite good too. It is at the point when B Blier visits J Gabin at his place, a few years after his demission. He has some doubts about his capacity to run the government and is asking for J Gabin's opinion. He is even asking for his discreet help when he will run the government and you think Gabin is going to accept, feeling flattered ( he does feel flattered ) and jump on the occasion to say yes but he doesn't. And he has this great other speech about how should be the man who leads a nation, pretty good lines too.

This movie is a very strong political drama about an aging president who loves to take risks. He is very clever man, but he's alone at the top. He wants to create a United Europe, but every French politician is against him. I'm a big fan of Jean Gabin. He's always fabulous, even in bad movies. He was great when he was young, and great when he was older, like in this one. For me, he's one of the ten best movie actors of all time. This film had very strong dialogues. It deserves a 8 out of 10.

An old statesman reminisces his carrier, highlighted by a decision to devaluate the Franc, the building of Europe and a betrayal of confidence by an ambitious politician. Masterful creation by Jean Gabin with the help of an excellent dialogue by M. Audiard.