Podium (2004)

Bernand Fréderic is a mediocre bank executive, married and with a son. He used to have antother profession: to be French star Claude Francois. Now, with the Imitators Gala Night coming up, ... See full summary »

Director:

Yann Moix

Writers:

Olivier Dazat, Yann Moix (novel),

Stars:

Benoît Poelvoorde, Jean-Paul Rouve, Julie Depardieu

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benoît Poelvoorde	...	Bernard Frédéric
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Couscous
Julie Depardieu	...	Véro
Marie Guillard	...	Vanessa
Anne Marivin	...	Anne
Odile Vuillemin	...	Odile
Nadège Beausson-Diagne	...	Nadège
Nicolas Jouxtel	...	Sébastien
Olivier Mag	...	Claude David
Evelyne Thomas	...	Herself / Elle-même
Karine Lyachenko	...	Jacqueline
Bruno Abraham-Kremer	...	Monsieur Lombard
Dominique Besnehard	...	Le psychologue
Armelle	...	Laure
Thomas Derichebourg	...	Le garçon restaurant à volonté

Storyline

Bernand Fréderic is a mediocre bank executive, married and with a son. He used to have antother profession: to be French star Claude Francois. Now, with the Imitators Gala Night coming up, he must choose between his wife or the only thing that makes him fully happy: the applause.

---

Plot Keywords:

bank | jealousy | double | bathtub | dancing in the street | 

---

Taglines:

Name: Bernard Frédéric. Job: Claude François.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Music

---

Details

Country:

Belgium France

Language:

French

Release Date:

11 February 2004 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

O sosias

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,942,752 (France) (13 February 2004)

Gross:

$17,708,315 (France) (19 March 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fidélité Productions, K2 SA, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Podium" refers to the title of the magazine created by Claude Francois in 1968.

---

Connections

Referenced in Jean-Philippe (2006)

---

Soundtracks

"Allumer le feu"
Performed by Johnny Star

User Reviews

Booster of energy

This is the story of Bernard Frederic, a "double" of Claude François (France's Elvis - author of classics such as "My Way"). A special television broadcast on doubles incites him to return to a life he stopped for his wife. We follow him during the steps leading to the big show...

There is something in this movie that makes it irresistible. Is it the story (very original), the rythm (fast but not furious :-)), the humor (I had a smile on my face almost the entire movie), the music (the mood was so positive that the audience sang along)? Or the cast? Benoît Poelvoorde (Bernard Frederic) has shown in this film just how talented he was. An outstanding performance then from him but also from his two co-stars the beautiful Julie Depardieu and the always disconcerting Jean-Paul Rouve. This movie should soon be crowned one of France's cult movies alongside classics such as "Le Père Noël est une Ordure", les "Visiteurs" or "Les Bronzés".

Except if you are looking for what is wrong in a movie, you shouldn't be disturbed by its minor flaws. However for those who read the book (such as me), there may be some level of disappointment (not for me though). You must know that the movie shows only part of Bernard Frederic's impressive personality. He is depicted in the book as impulsive, selfish, stingy but still very likeable. We get to see only a small selection of the ferociously funny situations from the book. But I guess it would have undermined the rythm of the film. So go see it if you want to feel a boost of energy!