Directed by:
Alain ResnaisScreenplay:
Jorge SemprúnCinematography:
Sacha ViernyComposer:
Stephen SondheimCast:
Jean-Paul Belmondo, François Périer, Anny Duperey, Michael Lonsdale, Roberto Bisacco, Claude Rich, Charles Boyer, Marcel Cuvelier, Pierre Vernier (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
International sensation Jean-Paul Belmondo (Breathless, Le Professionnel) turns on the charm as Serge Alexandre, known to the world as Stavisky. Working his way from small time cons to high society stings, this rascal ignites a scandal in 1930s France by saturating the country with phony vouchers, causing a whirlwind of governmental and economic destruction shortly before World War II. Groundbreaking director Alain Resnais (Last Year At Marienbad, Hiroshima Mon Amour) guides a dazzling cast headed by screen idol Charles Boyer through this timeless saga of deception, romance, and fallen grace, accompanied by a lyrical score from Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. It is the story of small-time swindler, who makes friends with his irrestisible charm and talent for lying. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (2)
Reviews (1)
Movies with Jean-Paul Belmondo sometimes suffer from the fact that audiences have become accustomed to seeing Belmondo in one single box, and anything that deviates from that receives criticism and misunderstanding. Unfortunately, I must point out here that the criticism is fully justified because Resnais did a poor job with it, resulting in a boring and lifeless film, where the main character lacks the charisma of the real Stavisky, despite Belmondo's efforts to imprint his usual charm. Resnais tries to portray his hero as someone who has believed too much in his own lies and plays his role regardless of the risks and the approaching end. The film lacks many things, including a more prominent female character or Belmondo's counterpart. Here, Resnais' hero is depicted as a victim of the system, and although there is some truth to it, I have seen many films where a similar theme is portrayed in a much more convincing manner. Overall impression: 40%.
()
Gallery (42)
Photo © NBC Universal
![Stavisky - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/161/542/161542880_e2dc1d.jpg)