Hail the Artist

The film's biggest advantage is the presence of two great actors of its era, namely Mastroianni and Rochefort, who act with a sense of humor and enjoy their roles as not very successful members of their own profession. The acting legends actually play their considerably less successful colleagues, who struggle from one gig to another and count every penny. However, I can't shake the feeling that the potential of the film was greater. Yves Robert seems to be unsure about what he actually wants to film and pay attention to. He devotes an excessive amount of energy to the romantic and parental problems of his protagonist, who struggles to balance between two women. But in the role of a ladies' man and an aging nut, Mastroianni is hopelessly overplayed and therefore uninteresting. Focusing the energy on two aging tired men, who professionally don't know which way to go and are increasingly accepting humiliating positions, would have been much wiser and more entertaining, as it would have offered countless opportunities for tragicomic situations. This way, the film only works in part and the casting has to save it. Overall impression: 65%. (03/13/2016)