Philippe, a man who makes a living out of outsmarting gullible people, finds himself in a small town which has been hit hard by the bad times in the country. Assuming a new persona, he realizes the profits to be gotten as he brings hope to the desperate citizens of the poor area. Philippe, who is a low life, knows what right buttons to push in order to get the influential business in town to go along with a scheme that will complete a badly needed highway, which had been abandoned by the original builders.
The con man, wisely, underplays his role as he starts the machinery going. It is amazing the way this man worked to win the confidence of the people in higher places, including the lady mayor, a young widow, who welcomes the new atmosphere Philippe has falsely erected. Unfortunately, his heart plays tricks on him: he has fallen for Stephane, the mayor. The appearance on the scene of Abel, his partner in crime, gets the con man a reason to think twice about the monstrosity of his game.
Based on a true story, it was adapted for the screen by its director, Xavier Giannoli, in collaboration with Daniel Karlin. The results are quite startling, as a good idea of the scope of what Philippe created for his own profit, affects a whole community. Mr. Giannoli is helped with the wonderful cast he brought together to his project. Excellent performance by Francois Cluzet dominates the film. His intelligent approach to the material work well in reenacting this story. Emmanuelle Devos appears as Stephane, the mayor, and Gerard Depardieu, who has collaborated with Mr. Giannoli before, shows up in a small, but pivotal role of Abel.
The con man, wisely, underplays his role as he starts the machinery going. It is amazing the way this man worked to win the confidence of the people in higher places, including the lady mayor, a young widow, who welcomes the new atmosphere Philippe has falsely erected. Unfortunately, his heart plays tricks on him: he has fallen for Stephane, the mayor. The appearance on the scene of Abel, his partner in crime, gets the con man a reason to think twice about the monstrosity of his game.
Based on a true story, it was adapted for the screen by its director, Xavier Giannoli, in collaboration with Daniel Karlin. The results are quite startling, as a good idea of the scope of what Philippe created for his own profit, affects a whole community. Mr. Giannoli is helped with the wonderful cast he brought together to his project. Excellent performance by Francois Cluzet dominates the film. His intelligent approach to the material work well in reenacting this story. Emmanuelle Devos appears as Stephane, the mayor, and Gerard Depardieu, who has collaborated with Mr. Giannoli before, shows up in a small, but pivotal role of Abel.