Crónica de una mentira

A snippet of news about a con-man, who acting as a representative of a construction consortium built 2 kilometres of highway in a high unemployment area in northern France, caught the eye of filmmaker Xavier Giannoli. The con-man Philippe Miller (played distinctly with a confident restraint by François Cluzet) enters the town planning to pocket cash bribes paid out by suppliers in return for contracts. However Philippe ends up becoming emotionally involved with the inhabitants of the town, romantically with its major Stephane (Emmanuelle Devos) and counterintuitively decides to force through the construction. Not only for the sake of the people he supposedly employed, but also for a deeply rooted need of self-fulfillment.

Initially cautious and reclusive with hints of petrification Philippe unwittingly dons the 'boss' cap in his rash attempt at profiteering only to discover to his dismay, that the hopes of the whole town are being placed on his shoulders. His revelatory "I've wasted too much time" highlights that personal gain is no longer essential, as he finds calm and happiness within his new role. The road he builds becomes a material accomplishment, a landmark to his success. (Shame that apparently in true-life the road had to be torn apart to avoid 'profiteering from illegal activities').

Nonetheless the dramatic impact has less to do with Philippe himself and more with the social turmoil initiated by the would-be builder's appearance. Despite various misgivings and warning signs none of them is followed through, as everyone becomes too involved in the change that is enacted. Happiness filters through the town summarised by a spectacular dance of heavy-duty construction vehicles around the bewildered Philippe.

Much akin to movies such as "Jerry Maguire" Giannoli however manages to keep the thrilling emotionality, which transgresses the con genre, and connects its with an astute European social-realism. "In the Beginning" does however tend to plod too carefully and meticulously through the whole sheenanigans, purposefully avoiding short-cuts, movie gimmickry and the sorts. That does cause the story to stall midway through and cause a certain overstatement of the messages on society. The solid runtime will dissuade many from viewing, even moreso that 30+ minutes seems essentially purposeless. Nonetheless the striking portrayals complemented by forceful direction wins big with a thoroughly satisfying movie underlining the need of self-fulfilment for personal dignity.

This movie is an exercise in story-telling and it carries us almost right to the end (where there are a couple of hackneyed devices). Our hero is a screwed up thief who gets involved in an enormous project way beyond his abilities or finances, and his life becomes a parody of many people's business style (including the bank-managers's). So the story takes us from his con-tricks through to the local community latching on to him (it's really not his fault) and pushing into completing the abandoned by-pass. It's then all about employment, so it develops on several levels. In the end, it's a crackdown on our sleazy-turned-heroic Francois Cluzet by the gendarmes and we read a few cue-cards about how it all worked out. Apparently our hero disappeared after serving his prison sentence --- perhaps he learned a movie was going to be made. We felt sorry for the widowed mayoress who strayed into his arms, but that's life...Highly recommended.

In cinema, France is often presented as a hub of culture where all kinds of people are shown hanging around cafés while sipping huge quantities of café. They are represented on screen as living in nice houses with book shelves full of literature books. A l'Origine presents a completely different image of culturally rich France. It is a realistic portrayal of France especially in its apt depiction of all turmoil related to fragile job market. Director Xavier Giannoli shows a crook who has always remained reluctant as hesitant fear always shone on his face. As usual French actor François Cluzet is superb as a different type of crook- one who would not at all hesitate to put his personal, ill gotten wealth to let his project succeed. About François Cluzet it can be said that he has never attempted to become a 'star' as time and again his brilliant acting performances have assured him a permanent place in the realm of French cinema as an "actor of quality". Emmanuelle Devos' performance is amazing in a supporting role as a small town mayor who does not think much before falling for a hesitant conman. This film also features a minor yet essential performance by legendary French actor Gérard Depardieu. He would play a lead role in "Quand J'étais Un Chanteur" / When I was a singer directed by Xavier Giannoli. In the wake of numerous incidents of suicides by France Telecom employees who collapsed due to enormous work pressure, A l'Origine makes a lot of sense as a film which tries to find why some people would go to any extent to earn easy money. One needs to simply watch how a whole town has gone crazy with the sudden arrival of a conman with kids making paintings and a father sitting proudly with his son in a dump truck with people cheering them. This film is your chance to feel happy in life by watching giant trucks used in constructing highways.

Nowadays the French have come up with a renewed 'cinemà verité' formula , but it's based on social issues...ordinary folk, factory workers, union struggles, and the unemployed. Director X.Giannoli is foxy, but NOT as intelligent as he thinks. We are spoon-fed a story which becomes increasingly improbable, but which is sold to us with all the ability of... a con man. In this case, the director himself. Judging by a comment I have just read in this Data Base, he has found at least ONE dupe.... Con-Man stories can be very intriguing, in literature and in movies. Giannoli's skill is in the 'feel' he gives the movie... a truly 'documentary' cut, jerky but subtle photography; unusual actors...mainly the two lead female roles... and , of course, Depardieu whose now customary flabby, and 'whogivesadamn' look and attitude make us believe, and hope, we're in for some serious, provocative cinema. But, alas, things go downhill fast. Chance, and a vaguely comic misunderstanding, lead us up the garden path to a sequel of highly unlikely events (justified by the usual 'based on a true story' prologue). Far from wishing to spoil the potential viewer's curiosity, I shall only say that, as the film draws to a (flimsy) finale.... I, and I am sure , many others, start mentally collecting the highly improbable 'plot points', and end up feeling , well.... frustrated and somewhat cheated. Giannoli has done a variety of good things, but one too many smart ass tricks. The female protagonist is a courageous choice, given her not too graceful appearance. Mr. Cluzet is fine, until he,literally 'bares his teeth', luckily well into the story. The 'rescue scene' is strangely 'Hollywood'; out of keeping with the otherwise fairly austere style chosen by the director. Maybe the first sign that something is awry, comes with the whirling carousel of construction machines, trucks and 'catterpillars' which suddenly spring out of nowhere. Not only do they torment the protagonist, they warn the expert film-buff that he/she is in for a few, not too credible, surprises. Or Rip Offs. And Depardieu? One suspects he was doing the director a little favor here. His two appearances are all too brief and his celluloid 'au-revoir' is downright embarrassing. On an ethical level, too, the film is lost at sea. And those typical printed lines which appear on the black screen as an epilogue, seem to mop up the messy floor that director Giannoli leaves us with, A few sloppy and weak 'explanations'. Have I been too harsh? Maybe. But you see, I don't like being 'conned'.

Paul is a small-time crook, ripping off construction businesses by usurping identities and reselling equipment he acquires. His travels bring him to a small town where his false identity (Philippe Miller) brings hope that a stalled highway construction project will finally get underway and let the inhabitants get out of the financial crisis they are in.

Town folks and local companies are all too eager to trust this stranger who inadvertently brings hope and when they begin to talk numbers and even bribe him, Paul decides to seize this golden opportunity. At first, he is awkward in his Philippe Miller persona but quickly gains assurance.

This part of the story plays much like a false identity con, not unlike Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. But lately, French cinema has excelled in portraying work, economic and social issues and this film is no exception. The more "Philippe" stays in town, the more he gets to know the people in this town, their hopes, dreams and their problems.

And so, the line begins to blur between Paul and Philippe, especially as the project itself takes life. Of course, suspicion arises every so often about whether "Philippe" is really who he pretends to be but are always rapidly squashed, because "at least, things are happening".

What is fascinating is to see almost the whole town, in a certain way, complicit with Paul's scam-turning-into-good-deed. Even Paul himself forgets about the easy money and becomes obsessed with finishing the highway project. We as viewers can't help but wonder if the townsfolk couldn't have made it happen by themselves had they had common will to do so.

The movie becomes less and less about a heist and more and more about project management by a man way over his head. The direction by Xavier Giannoli is tight, evocative and right on target. The amazing score by the underrated Cliff Martinez is perfect and beautiful, immersing us in this story that is part drama, part thriller. The entire cast was well chosen and all are believable but this is very much a film following lead actor François Cluzet, one of France's best actor who keeps on getting better and better even in his 50s now. Cluzet oozes charisma and could lead any big production.

People who enjoy thrillers such as the aforementioned Catch Me If You Can or dramas such as Up In the Air should have a great time watching this great film that tells an amazing and original story inspired by true events that took place in the 90s.