Apparently, the screenwriters thought Nina Kacew a hysterical "castrating mother", as per the tritest misogynistic stereotype, and Romain Gary a farcical momma's boy, without a shred of the inimitable intelligence and humour that is to be found everywhere in his body of work.
But, believe it or not, the worst of it all is "not" this contemptuous treatment, it is the direction by Eric Barbier, so thoroughly pedestrian that it would have turned even the most adventurous of tales into a complete and utter bore - quite an undertaking, for a movie marketed as "epic".
Throw in some shallow and/or hammy acting by both Gainsbourg and Niney, and there you have it - a legit turkey of a film.
To the tentative audience: go find "Promise at dawn" by Jules Dassin instead (by no means a masterpiece, but decent at least), or do yourself a favour and read Romain Gary - for all his flaws, he is worth your time, contrary to this movie.
P. S.: This is my first review, after fourteen years of membership, and written in my fourth language: so now the reader can fully realize the scope of my indignation!
But, believe it or not, the worst of it all is "not" this contemptuous treatment, it is the direction by Eric Barbier, so thoroughly pedestrian that it would have turned even the most adventurous of tales into a complete and utter bore - quite an undertaking, for a movie marketed as "epic".
Throw in some shallow and/or hammy acting by both Gainsbourg and Niney, and there you have it - a legit turkey of a film.
To the tentative audience: go find "Promise at dawn" by Jules Dassin instead (by no means a masterpiece, but decent at least), or do yourself a favour and read Romain Gary - for all his flaws, he is worth your time, contrary to this movie.
P. S.: This is my first review, after fourteen years of membership, and written in my fourth language: so now the reader can fully realize the scope of my indignation!