IMDb >
Le grand rôle (2004)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsLe grand rôle (2004) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
13 October 2004 (Belgium)
more
Plot:
When a famous American film director, Rudolph Grichenberg, comes to Paris to cast a Yiddish version...
more
| add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination
more
User Comments:
An Amusing French Jewish Update of O. Henry's "The Last Leaf"
more (3 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Stéphane Freiss | ... | Maurice Kurtz | |
| Bérénice Bejo | ... | Perla Kurtz | |
| Peter Coyote | ... | Rudolph Grichenberg | |
| Paola Perez | ... | Debby Grichenberg | |
| Lionel Abelanski | ... | Simon Laufer | |
| Laurent Bateau | ... | Elie Weill | |
| Stéphan Guérin-Tillié | ... | Edouard | |
| Olivier Sitruk | ... | Samy Rebbot | |
| François Berléand | ... | Benny Schwarz | |
| Valérie Benguigui | ... | Viviane | |
| Rufus | ... | M. Silberman | |
| Danièle Denie | ... | Mme Silberman | |
| Smadi Wolfman | ... | Sarah | |
| Steve Suissa | ... | Doron | |
| Gérard Caillaud | ... | Le metteur en scène |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
La bonne attitude (France) (working title)
The Grand Role (International: English title) (DVD box title)
The Great Role (International: English title)
more
The Grand Role (International: English title) (DVD box title)
The Great Role (International: English title)
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
89 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Certification:
Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud)
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (3 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Le grand rôle (2004)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| soundtrack | efiller |
| Two questions | exnittany |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Edvard Munch | Ma femme est une actrice | Les invasions barbares | Les enfants du paradis | Ceux qui m'aiment prendront le train |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb France section | Add this title to MyMovies |


"Le Grand Rôle" is an amusing updated French Jewish take on O. Henry's "The Last Leaf." Based on a book by Daniel Goldenberg that doesn't appear to be available in English, it gently pokes fun at just about everything it touches, including actors, theaters, directors, and religious, ethnic and generational divisions within the Jewish community.
It sets as a satirical premise the notion that Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" is the problem and opportunity for Jewish actors that "Othello" is for black actors, with references as well to Ronald Colman in "A Double Life" and the Al Pacino adaptation that must have been in production at the same time as this film.
In a droll satire of Steven Spielberg exploring his Jewish identity through "Schindler's List," Peter Coyote plays a big Hollywood director who comes to Paris to direct a Yiddish version of "Merchant" (scenes with him are mostly in English), setting off more than a frisson of hope and anxiety among a close group of unemployed Jewish actor friends as they position themselves for the role, including amusing efforts to gain credibility with the director in and out of the humiliating auditions, such as politicking at temple services most don't otherwise attend and searching out elderly relatives for Yiddish lessons. Their comfort with each other amidst their diversity is also unusual in films with Jewish characters, as they range from married with children, to divorced, to a womanizer, one is observant, another passionately Sephardic who insists that an authentic production of "Merchant" should be in Ladino (the Judeo-Iberic language of Jews who fled Spain).
But the humor is centered by one of the most unusual sights ever in films - an attractive, young Jewish married couple's stable, loving relationship. Their devotion puts the actors' egos into poignant perspective as the marriage is tested by the ultimate challenge, showing that even the most self-centered seeming people can have a heart in the face of personal tragedy.
Stéphane Freiss as the husband can move from funny to sad sack to poignant on a dime. Bérénice Bejo as his wife creates a real, intelligent woman to care about; I was particularly impressed that she found the only copy in Paris of the play in Yiddish.
The English subtitles are inadequate and it is particularly frustrating as none of the pop songs on the soundtrack are translated as they seem to have some significance in commenting on the story, particularly at the end.