Riviera Revenge opens innocently enough.
It is Annie Masault’s birthday, and she is surrounded by all her children and grandchildren. It is a beautiful summer day, they are seated around the dining table in their gorgeous sun-drenched alfresco… it’s perfect.
Until her husband Francois, surprises everyone with lyrics to a special birthday song… sung to the tune “La Marseillaise” aka the French national anthem.
Francois Massault is the caricature of a military man, through and through. The regimented and at times, chauvinistic, mindset of the old army boys fully permeates his existence. Amaury is the golden child because he followed his dad’s footsteps. Adrien, the marionettist, is viewed with barely concealed disdained for “playing with puppets” and told that there are vacancies in the French infantry. Even Francois’ dialogue, in terms of his tone and words used, reflects a man who lives the army life. He talks about converting his attic for his female grandchildren into a dorm with communal showers and lockers.
So what happens when the retired General finds out that his dear wife cheated on him forty years ago?
Well, he goes on a mission to defend HIS honour.
He packs his canteen and single serve rations (I wish I was kidding) and heads to Nice, Annie in tow.
One might expect an insufferable display of machismo throughout this tale of revenge.
But what we don’t count on is Annie NOT being the meek, subservient wife you would expect.
And there in lies part of the fun.
Annie is an artist at heart and not afraid to use her voice. This tempestuous character infuriates with her flippant attitude towards Francois’ discovery but also she also makes us feel for her. It’s clear that she shares a deep connection with her paramour, Boris, over their shared love of the arts. So you can’t help but wonder how she survived over forty years with a man whose interests vary so widely from hers.
This film is entertaining just watching Francois’ ridiculous reactions and rationale on his quest. But what makes it brilliant is watching his stiff upper lip soften as the revelations of the way he’s lived his life so far seeps in. While it might take awhile to come to the surface, it is understandable because you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, after all.
Riviera Revenge could have just stuck to its namesake, focusing purely on revenge. But the added theme of renewal makes it a much richer movie going experience.
Riviera Revenge is showing as part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Sessions run until 13th April.