Tour de France

More than a road movie, "Tour de France" is the meeting of 2 human, than everything seems to oppose: their age, their origin, their religion, their background. Serge is white, old, bitter, live outside of the world, alone, after being a worker, fired when his factory closed down without any explanation, while Far'Hook is of arabic origin, young, live in Parisian suburbs, cares only for rap. One represents the 'old white world', racist, disillusioned and the former worker class, the other the youth that France does not want to recognize as his own, and that in answer stay on the side. However, forced to travel together, they will discover each other and than things may not be black or white. Supported by Depardieu, as good as ever, and Sadek which manages to exist in this duo (that is almost of every scene of the film), in front of that cinema giant, which is by itself a huge compliment on his performance.

You may find the movie naive, and in a way it is. I found however that it is one of its strength and that it manages to avoid clichés. The relationship between those 2, its evolution, is touching and speak the truth. Their opposition, the misunderstanding between them is really well used and sweep the few weaknesses shown in some scenes a bit too phony or didactic. And kindness is there, hidden behind their shells, giving us some beautiful scenes. The kindliness of the director for his characters and his actors is not for nothing in that part.

The movie is also quite smart in the use of art made:taking a big place in the movie, with painting and music, it is one of the main factor that leads 2 characters to discover the other, and themselves.