Sénéchal le magnifique
1957 Comedy
Credits
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Summary
François Sénéchal, a player in a travelling
theatre company, is outraged when the play he is appearing in is
suddenly cancelled by its director. Still dressed in his costume,
he is mistaken for a real legionnaire and is treated like a hero
wherever he goes. The next day, when he is turned down for the
part of a diplomat in another play, he finds he is mistaken for the
real thing again. He has no difficulty persuading the nobility
that he is France’s consul to Honduras and he is very nearly drawn into
a torrid affair with a real princess. It suddenly occurs to
François that he will have more success in life if he were to
play his roles in the real world rather than on the stage…
Review
Clearly intended to showcase the talent of its star – the much-loved
horse-faced comic actor Fernandel – for playing colourful characters in
O.T.T. situations, Sénéchal
le magnifique also offers a sobering reflection on the
precarious life of the struggling artist. Whilst the plot’s lack
of structure makes the film feel aimless and a tad over-long, the
irresistible charms of its charismatic lead performer keeps the
audience engaged and entertained. Admiitedly, good jokes are
pretty thin on the ground and Fernandel looks like he is having an
uphill struggle trying to make up for the lack of inspiration in both
the writing and direction, but the film has a certain charm and
has aged better than many of Fernandel’s films.
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