La Gitane (1986)
Directed by Philippe de Broca

Film Review

La Gitane is an action comedy which is definitively the work of Philippe de Broca.  Few other French film directors manage to combine the sophisticated comic dialogue which is the hallmark of a good French comedy with over-the-top action stunts, which are usually limited to thriller films. Whilst the combination works remarkably well in some of de Broca's other films (most notably his feisty Belmondo vehicle L'Homme de Rio (1964) and, more recently, his lively comic version of the historical drama, Le Bossu (1997)), it is often less successful. La Gitane illustrates how the formula can go awry if the plot is lacking and the characterisation not fully developed.

La Gitane has some strong selling points, particularly an excellent comic performance from Claude Brasseur, and some hilariously funny moments. The stunts are certainly impressive, although a few do look just a little violent for a comic film.  Unfortunately, the film is weakened by a plot which seems to wander all over the place, being over-reliant on its comic set-pieces to keep things moving.  The film's ending is also a major disappointment.  Moreover, Valérie Kaprisky, who plays the gypsy girl, whilst physically stunning, just hasn't the charisma or acting ability to pull of a lead role of the magnitude she has in this film. Despite its flaws, the film is overall quite entertaining, with some good comic moments.  However, it really does not add up to much, and certainly does not show Philippe de Broca at his best.

Film Synopsis

Hubert Durieux runs a bank in the small town of Oise in the north of France.  His fairly routine existence is governed by the three women in his life - his nagging ex-wife Brigitte, his demanding daughter Florence and his over-sexed mistress Elsa.  It is fair to say that most of the problems in Hubert's life are down to women, and this is reaffirmed when, one day, he comes to the aid of an attractive girl named Mona.  The next thing he knows he is being set upon by a wild gang of gypsies, allowing Mona to abscond in his treasured Citroën.

Without delay, Hubert reports the theft to the police and they soon find the car, now repainted black, on a gypsy camp on the edge of the town.  Recovering his vehicle, Hubert is surprised to find Mona hidden inside.  From that moment, the gypsy girl professes to be devotedly attached to the banker and refuses to part from him.  In the face of this seductive onslaught, there is only one thing that Hubert can do - submit totally.  Carried away on a whirlwind of passion, Hubert puts at risk his chances of promotion and unwittingly gets caught up in Mona's madcap scheme to rob his bank...