Lucky Punch

When it was theatrically released ,"Lucky punch" was called "Le Montreur De Boxe" (the traveling boxing exhibitor);the new title is not irrelevant,since it essentially deals with bets on boxing events.

The ninetieth century comes to an end :people have begun to bet on boxing events and a new invention fascinates the crowds :the Cinematograph (one can catch glimpses of the Lumière Bros' "Le Repas De Bébé").So the exhibitor (Richard Bohringer) forms a partnership with the projectionists ;his champion is a clueless sturdy lumberjack . The Young man,as loyal as he is naive,does not want to compete in fixed fights;besides,he is in love with a sweet girlie .

The most moving scene is not,however,the boxer ,crying in his anger in his shame , when he sees his tears are filmed by his squeeze.The best ,IMHO,are to be found at the beginning and at the end of the movie: two pagan funerals by torchlight,in the dark woods.

The movie is so so ,saved by Bohringer ,the best good-and-bad guy of the French cinema.