As Mil Vidas de Bernard Tapie

From a working-class background, Bernard Tapie had an insatiable desire for power, a phenomenal capacity for action and a natural charisma. From 1960 to 1990, he created several business, took over companies in difficulty, became a legendary soccer manager, tried his hand at singing and politics. He won, and he failed. Again and again. This hyperactive man had brilliant intuitions, and never let any obstacle discourage him. But he had no scruples either, and left a growing number of unemployed workers in his wake. Caught up in scandal, he embodies France's fascination and contempt for economic success.

Bernard TAPIE... icon of the French businessman, a man who leaves no one indifferent. He's that guy you love to hate. We disapprove of his unscrupulous methods, but we can't help admiring his energy, his determination to shake up the establishment, his naive pugnacity in the face of those born into the strata of power. The rich and powerful never accept those who dare to rise up and join them. They find a thousand invisible ways to restrain and bully them.

We're used to the cynicism of wealthy businessmen who crush the workers in their companies. But Tapie was born in the working class. An empathetic guy who understood the workers. What wouldn't have shocked coming from a man born rich, disappointed coming from him. In the end, that he should have abandoned "his own" along the way, that is the sin French people cannot forgive Bernard Tapie.

The series succeeds in the tour de force of making us love this guy, understand him, admire him without approving of him. The performance of Laurent Lafitte is simply stunning. Episode after episode, we're drawn into the highly symbolic story of an ascent and a fall. Fascinating...

I belong to those people who admired Bernard Tapie, and believe me, there were millions of them. He was charismatic, unique, the only human being who was a singer, businessman, politician, big and small screen and stage actor, convict, major soccer game team owner - Olympic de Marseille. He was selfish, yes; ruthless, yes; ambitious, yes; charismatic, yes; big big big mouth, yes; liar, yes; fearless, yes; schemer, yes. But no one human being could stay without opinion concerning him.... NO ONE ON EARTH. This series is excellent, however it is at the edge of the caricature, the cartoonesque way of describing him thru his way of talking, behaving, puzzled me a bit. Some awesome sequences, especially in the last episode, with the face to face conversation between Bernard Tapie and attorney Montgolfier. I reviewed it on the seventh episode. They should have mentioned his famous sentence about Diego Maradona, the worldwide known soccer player. Tapie said " That's not someone like him that I want, THAT'S HIM !!!! I remind this sentence, back in the nineties, on TV. But they did not.

The life of Bernard Tapie definitely deserved to be told on screen. Absolutely fascinating and absorbing. This man experienced so many things in his lifetime. Good and bad. Straight out of a Tom Wolf novel. Highly recommanded and full of surprises. Laffite does a great job playing the lead role as does Josèphine Jappy playing his wife. It's better if you watch in french with subtitles so you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Whether or not you are familiar with the real life Bernard Tapie, you will be fascinated by the charisma and audacity of this man. One of my favorite netflix show in 2023.

On a much lower scale, the ascension of Bernard Tapie and his aplomb reminded me of Trump... He was a media darling, a businessman that ended up laying off thousands of workers even though he promised he wouldn't... The only differences lie in the fact that Bernard Tapie was a real self made man who could not count on his father's money and that he got burned for flying too close to the sun! He also got married twice only! :-) Anyways, I really enjoyed this series and even though it was largely fictional, many scandals rang a bell to me as I grew up in France in the 80s-90s. It was really entertaining and I definitely recommend this series to anyone that would like to learn more about a man that is still revered as the Boss in Marseilles and who is still worshipped by many in France as the son of a factory worker who became a billionaire, a minister of the government, a tv host, a singer, an actor, a business owner who owned Adidas and changed its logo and the owner of one of the biggest French football club!

"Class Act" beautifully depicts the remarkable journey of Bernard Tapie, exemplifying his multitude of roles as an influential figure in various fields. The movie masterfully delves into his life as the ex-CEO of the renowned French company Adidas, his impactful leadership as the CEO of Olympique de Marseille (OM), and even his notable tenure as a government Minister under President Mitterrand's second-term administration.

One of the notable highlights of "Class Act" is the outstanding performances by the actors portraying Dominique and Bernard. Their remarkable portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the characters, making the viewers truly connect with their stories. Dominique's character shines with adorability and beauty, capturing the audience's hearts.

The movie brilliantly encapsulates Tapie's resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit in a captivating narrative. Each aspect of Tapie's dynamic life is meticulously portrayed, allowing the viewers to gain a profound appreciation for his achievements and the immense hurdles he overcame.

With its compelling storytelling and powerful character performances, it is no surprise that "Class Act" has received a perfect rating of 10/10 on IMDb. This truly remarkable film stands out as the best French movie of the last 40 years, encapsulating the essence of Tapie's extraordinary life and leaving a lasting impression on its viewers.

"Class Act" is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and a remarkable cinematic experience. It showcases the indomitable spirit of Bernard Tapie, reminding us that a true class act transcends boundaries and defines the true essence of success.

Thank you for sharing your review and bringing attention to this exceptional film.