Itinéraire d'un enfant gâté is the unusual fate of a man, Sam Lion (Belmondo), who has succeeded in life too quickly. But money doesn't make happiness: his loves annoy him, his children are complicated, his job is a burden. He decides to leave, pretending to be dead and leaving behind a loving family. Despite his apparent selfishness, we become attached to him and identify with him. In fact, everyone wants to live their life (or at least perceive themselves) as a great adventurer, just like him. This film makes us realise that it is possible to fulfil our wildest dreams and take our destiny in hand.
In close contact with nature, the missing man regains a taste for the true values of life, even if we quickly understand that Sam Lion still likes to control everything (his destiny and his loved ones, but also nature and the animals), which prevents him from completely cutting the ties with his former life. Even though he is presumed dead, Sam Lion finds a way to regain control of his business through a former employee Albert (Anconina) who recognises Sam Lion by pure chance in the middle of Africa. Sam Lion decides to train Albert in his image until they become one of the most beautiful and touching duos in the history of cinema. Colored with truth and humour, there are wonderful scenes between Belmondo (pretentious but touching) teaching life to his « pantin » Albert (naive and clumsy). Everything separates them but friendship eventually binds them together and in the end the two will learn a lot from each other.
The talent of Belmondo and Anconina, as well as the incredible soundtrack, further embellish this beautiful story. The non linear narrative of the movie allows us to go from laughing to crying very quickly, and that's the beauty of the film. Finally, the shots are breathtaking, especially the scenes with the zooms on Belmondo's charismatic face and confident look. Alternating flashbacks of Sam Lion's sailboat floating on the choppy waves with static shots of the actors' faces, we understand that while the waves sweep away the past, determination allows each of us to set sail and decide on our own itinerary.
