|
|
P.R.O.F.S.
1985 Comedy
|
Director:
Patrick Schulmann
Starring: Patrick Bruel, Fabrice Luchini, Christophe Bourseiller, Laurent Gamelon, Etienne Draber |
|
|
Summary
Frédéric is a reactionary literature teacher who intends to apply some unorthodox
methods when he takes up a post in a typical French high school. Whilst he quickly
manages to get on the wrong side of most of his colleagues, his approach wins favour from
art teacher Michel, gym instructor Gérard and librarian Francis. Convinced
that their teaching methods are the best, the four new friends set about eliminating their
more conventional colleagues…
Credits
 More French Comedy |
Review
Patrick Schulmann manages to contain his more eccentric style of comedy – seen previously
in Et la tendresse?... Bordel! (1979) and
Rendez-moi ma peau... (1980) – in
this engaging comedy which cheerfully satirises the French teaching system. Although
the plot occasionally gets snarled up with some overly drawn out comic situations which
fail to take off, P.R.O.F.S. is easily Schulmann’s
best work, and features some of his funniest material. Among a host of memorable
visual jokes are: the instant transformation of a Karl Marx character into a Hitler-look-alike,
the explosion of a chemistry teacher, and a hilarious sequence in which a bed falls through
the ceiling during a film club screening of Jean Vigo’s Zéro
de conduite.
Fabrice Luchini and Patrick Bruel are probably two of the least likely actors to appear in this kind of film (a low-brow, low-budget comedy), but their presence certainly gives the film extra appeal and kudos. Luchini’s colourful portrayal of an art teacher is utterly eccentric yet – oddly – also totally spot on. Can anyone claim to having had an art teacher who was remotely normal? Whilst wacky for the most part, there are some attempts at serious reflection on the teaching profession. A discussion between the four lead characters leads to some increasingly bizarre, yet strangely prophetic, predictions of the future of education. Dare one imagine a world without teachers? Schulmann dares, just before diving into another series of mad-cap comic situations. It’s a bit messy, a bit too predictable in parts, but overall P.R.O.F.S. offers an entertaining view of high school education at its absolute worst. © James Travers 2005 Write a review for this film... User Comments
How do you rate this film?
|
To buy this film...
 |
|
Genre: Decade: |
Action
Comedy
Drama
Horror
Musical
Rom-com
Sci-Fi
Thriller
War
The best
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s |
© filmsdefrance.com 2009