The French Minister (Quai d'Orsay)

NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE TO STREAM ON NETFLIX. NOW AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX DVD. The whimsy and quick pace of a French romantic comedy is brought to the political sphere in Bertrand Tavernier's The French Minister, first released in 2013.  

The film is supported by a perfectly complementary cast, which is, without a doubt led by Thierry Lhermitte, who plays Alexandre Taillard, the French Minister himself. Lhermitte is dynamic in every sense of the word. His character's passion and methods are captivating and charming to us, but bewildering and exhausting to the members of his cabinet, including the new- hire, Arthur Vlaminck (Raphaël Personnaz). 

The tale of The French Minister trails Vlaminck and his experiences as a new addition to the team at the Quai d'Orsay in charge of "Words," i.e.: the speech writer. Backed by his adorable teacher girlfriend at home, Vlamnick is our ticket to viewing the inside of the eccentric and unpredictable office that handles Kosovo, Africa and NATO.

My favorite among the cast, however, was Claude Maupas, played by Niels Arestrup. Well respected actor that he is, he brings a much needed tension to the only sane character that is holding the whole circus together, but just barely. 

Don't miss this treat of on the mark acting and the always perfect combination of political comedy.   

Nicole Eicholtz

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