Conseil de famille (1986)

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Francis Ryck (novel), Costa-Gavras (scenario)

Stars:

Johnny Hallyday, Fanny Ardant, Guy Marchand

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Hallyday	...	Le père / The Father
Fanny Ardant	...	La mère / The Mother
Guy Marchand	...	Maximilien Faucon
Laurent Romor	...	François enfant / François as a child
Rémi Martin	...	François
Juliette Rennes	...	Martine enfant / Martine child
Caroline Pochon	...	Martine
Ann-Gisel Glass	...	Sophie
Fabrice Luchini	...	L'avocat véreux / The shady lawyer
Jérôme Barrier
Maxime Beaugrand
Claudine Berg
Julien Bertheau	...	Le propriétaire de la maison fléchettes
Françoise Bette	...	La belle-soeur / The sister-in-law
Philippe De Brugada	...	Le propriétaire en furie

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Latin

Release Date:

19 March 1986 (France)

Also Known As:

Family Business

Company Credits

Production Co:

K.G. Productions, Gaumont, Films A2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

User Reviews

charm over substance

These days there isn't much a hardworking husband and father can do to make ends meet except turn to petty larceny, as seen in this lighthearted tale of corruption and family ties, something of a departure from the usual political thrillers of director Costa Gavras. It's billed as a comedy, which is a little misleading; the film is a character study first, a family portrait second, and a coming-of-age drama third, all underlined with sly wit and unexpected touches of (very French) humor. It's a film composed of odd events and offbeat details, like little sister Martine's unfulfilled incestuous longings for brother Francois, or the two mad, Latin speaking Bulgarian twins who interrupt one of the burglaries. In the end the story settles for charm over substance, but if the entire film adds up to less than the sum of its parts it still remains an entertaining diversion.