A Self-Made Hero (1996)

Set in France at the end of World War II Albert Dehousse finds out his father wasn't a war hero and his mother is a collaborator. He leaves his wife and goes to Paris. Gradually he ... See full summary »

Director:

Jacques Audiard

Writers:

Jean-François Deniau (novel), Alain Le Henry

Stars:

Mathieu Kassovitz, Anouk Grinberg, Sandrine Kiberlain

3 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mathieu Kassovitz	...	Albert Dehousse
Anouk Grinberg	...	Servane
Sandrine Kiberlain	...	Yvette
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Albert Dehousse (old)
Albert Dupontel	...	Dionnet
Nadia Barentin	...	The General's Wife
Bernard Bloch	...	Ernst
François Chattot	...	Louvier
Philippe Duclos	...	Caron
Danièle Lebrun	...	Madame Dehousse
Armand de Baudry d'Asson	...	Englishman
Wilfred Benaïche	...	Henry Nervoix
François Berléand	...	Monsieur Jo
Philippe Berodot	...	Leguen
Gilles Del Frate	...	The Partisan

Storyline

Set in France at the end of World War II Albert Dehousse finds out his father wasn't a war hero and his mother is a collaborator. He leaves his wife and goes to Paris. Gradually he inveigles himself with the resistance movement. They trust him and he helps them trace collaborators.

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Plot Keywords:

french resistance | younger version of character | widow | dead father | liar | 

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Taglines:

Les vies les plus belles sont celles qu'on invente.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

User Reviews

Intelligent, strong satire, grew on 2nd viewing

Intelligent, droll, well made study of one cowardly man creating a new identity and remaking himself as a hero under the cover of war.

Poses interesting questions about identity and truth, and how we all invent ourselves.

Some terrific cinematography, and a solid lead performance by Mathieu Kassovitz.

On first viewing, something was missing for me emotionally. Sometimes the ideas seemed heavy handed, and other times, motives and characters underdeveloped.

But on re-visiting the pieces fell together, and while the underlying ideas still sometimes felt familiar, the sting of the satire danced beautifully with the underlying sadness of the main character.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

12 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Self-Made Hero

Box Office

Budget:

FRF29,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alicéléo, Cofimage 7, Lumière

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1