Le Toubib (1979)
Directed by Pierre Granier-Deferre

Film Review

Le Toubib is by no means a particularly great point in the career of Alain Delon. The fault lies not with the actor but with the film's weak script and even poorer technical presentation. In spite of some commendable performances from Delon and his co-star Bernard Giraudeau, the film lacks realism and emotional depth, and this is largely on account of the production team's failure to convince us that the film is set during wartime. This is one of a number of projects where Alain Delon over-stretched himself as a producer, something which contributed to the gradual decline in his popularity as an actor in the 1980s.

Film Synopsis

In the early 1980s, Jean-Marie Desprée is a highly respected surgeon with a thriving practice in Paris.  The settled forty-year-old's world suddenly begins to fall apart when his wife walks out on him.  He deals with this emotional crisis by focusing on his work, and the outbreak of World War III proves to be a very welcome distraction for a man afflicted with a broken heart.  He is assigned to a field hospital right in the heart of the countryside, somewhere in Europe.  In this tranquil spot, there is no sign of the devastation being wrought in the battle zones, but Jean-Marie and his team have plenty to keep them occupied, attending to the legions of war casualties who are flown in by helicopter.

In 20-year-old Harmonie the disillusioned middle-aged surgeon has a devoted assistant, although her unjustified optimism soon begins to get on his nerves.  Just what has she to be so damned cheerful about?  As their professional and personal relationship develops, Jean-Marie begins to experience warmer feelings for Harmonie and it isn't long before they both realise they are in love.  Against a backdrop that will decide the future of mankind, these two people must make the most of the time they have left - which proves to be far shorter than they imagine...