The Gentleman from Epsom

Grangier-Simonin-Audiard are really pulling a routine scam on us. Cheap idea turned into a flimsy script and then stretched to yeeee somewhat over 80min.

Jean Gabin is funny for 15min. Then it really gets tedious: repetitive and unengaging. Gabin bullying stiffs, steam-rolling credulous dumb guys and charming ladies does not get us a long way when he is just a bum to start with. A colourful, bigger-than-life bum if you will, but a bum all the same who does not aim to get anywhere and actually gets us nowhere.

That is the kind of movie that feels like a scam: you were naive enough to be lured to watch it. Worst of all it stood as a full train of free ammunition for the New Wave types, who did not even need the usual bad faith jeers to mock the total lack of a creative endeavour there.