Original in its subject (the story is about a fake hero in the Second World War, but it deals too with the way we all build our everyday masking personality in front of the society)and its form (the film is structured as a mock documentary), "A self-made hero" contains lots of irony and a great performance of Kassovitz. However, even though it didn't want to be a thriller, the plot needed more tension and unfortunately lacks of it. We rarely have the feeling that the main character is going to be discovered and due to that some twists aren't believable at all.
8 Reviews
the story of a fake hero
dromasca30 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Successful revolutions and liberation movements that succeed often suffer from an interesting syndrome. Several weeks, months, years after the events, there are more and more "heroes" claiming deeds of bravery. In Romanian, the proverb that characterizes this syndrome is 'Many heroes show up after the war' with the updated humorous version 'There were a few, but many more have remained'. France is a country where the phenomenon has been widespread after World War II. Post factum heroes who claimed that they were enrolled in the Resistance appeared not only amog those who stood on the fences, such as the hero of Jacques Audiard's film "Un héros très discret" (the English title is 'A Self-Made Hero'), but also from the ranks of collaborators trying to escape responsibility and harsh, sometimes capital punishments, dictated by the rapid justice of the winners in the years immediately after the war.
Albert Dehousse (Mathieu Kassovitz ), the hero of the movie, is raised by his mother having never know his father, a fallen soldier in WWI. As lone child of a widow he is spared the front, as a fresh married son-in-law he succeeds to avoid also being sent to forced work in Germany. He is a hesitant and not very self-confident young man, but has some qualities - a rich imagination, a good memory, a capacity to understand what to say and how to act in order to please other people. Inventing a past that is not his own seems to be the way to survive and succeed in the troubled times at the end of WWII. He has some good background in the family (he discovers that his father was not the hero his mother claimed him to be to get a pension) and he meets a couple of people who teach him the art of masquerading used by them for better causes. Quite soon, he acquires a hero's past, advances on the social scale, gets an officer position, and is sent as a commander in occupied Germany. All that was possible for ex-Resistants in France immediately after the war. Maybe he succeeds better than expected, as troubles come soon together with the success.
Jacques Audiard was in 1996 only at his second feature film as a director, and it is obvious in "Un héros très discret" that he is testing his directorial skills. The film is conceived as a kind of investigation that uses the testimonies of the hero (played at the older age by Jean-Louis Trintignant - anytime a pleasure to see him again) and of other characters (former fighters in the Resistance, historians) in a sort of documentary reconstruction alternating with the action in the years 40s. Up to one point this works OK. However, I did not understand the logic of inserting in addition to these some musical sequences and short pantomime clips. The result is too complicated, and does not leave enough screen time to the main thread of the action. It is a shame, because this seemed to me the most successful of all the forms of storytelling attempted by the director. The atmosphere of the epoch is well-rendered, the main character manages to create empathy in spite of the lies and frauds, and the good acting of the team of actors, especially Mathieu Kassovitz, contributes to this. The message of the film is that France eventually has accepted the post-war confusion, and moreover, has forgiven, rehabilitated and even promoted its impostors. This is a sharp critical message that could have been better artistically supported if the beginner (then) director Jacques Audiard had not tried too many experiments. Anyway, "Un héros très discret" is an interesting movie to watch even today.
Albert Dehousse (Mathieu Kassovitz ), the hero of the movie, is raised by his mother having never know his father, a fallen soldier in WWI. As lone child of a widow he is spared the front, as a fresh married son-in-law he succeeds to avoid also being sent to forced work in Germany. He is a hesitant and not very self-confident young man, but has some qualities - a rich imagination, a good memory, a capacity to understand what to say and how to act in order to please other people. Inventing a past that is not his own seems to be the way to survive and succeed in the troubled times at the end of WWII. He has some good background in the family (he discovers that his father was not the hero his mother claimed him to be to get a pension) and he meets a couple of people who teach him the art of masquerading used by them for better causes. Quite soon, he acquires a hero's past, advances on the social scale, gets an officer position, and is sent as a commander in occupied Germany. All that was possible for ex-Resistants in France immediately after the war. Maybe he succeeds better than expected, as troubles come soon together with the success.
Jacques Audiard was in 1996 only at his second feature film as a director, and it is obvious in "Un héros très discret" that he is testing his directorial skills. The film is conceived as a kind of investigation that uses the testimonies of the hero (played at the older age by Jean-Louis Trintignant - anytime a pleasure to see him again) and of other characters (former fighters in the Resistance, historians) in a sort of documentary reconstruction alternating with the action in the years 40s. Up to one point this works OK. However, I did not understand the logic of inserting in addition to these some musical sequences and short pantomime clips. The result is too complicated, and does not leave enough screen time to the main thread of the action. It is a shame, because this seemed to me the most successful of all the forms of storytelling attempted by the director. The atmosphere of the epoch is well-rendered, the main character manages to create empathy in spite of the lies and frauds, and the good acting of the team of actors, especially Mathieu Kassovitz, contributes to this. The message of the film is that France eventually has accepted the post-war confusion, and moreover, has forgiven, rehabilitated and even promoted its impostors. This is a sharp critical message that could have been better artistically supported if the beginner (then) director Jacques Audiard had not tried too many experiments. Anyway, "Un héros très discret" is an interesting movie to watch even today.
Rooted Solely By Mathieu Kassovitz's Performance
MovieBuffBongo9 May 2001
I'm not normally a fan of foreign films, mainly because my lack of reading ability, but Un Heros Tres Discret (A.K.A. A Self Made Hero) was one of the best foreign films I have ever seen, if only because it introduced me to French actor, Mathieu Kassovitz.
This movie, directed by Jacques Audiard, deals with Mathieu's character, Albert Dehousse, and his rise from a son living under his mother's insanity to becoming a leader of a French Revolutionary faction.
If there is anything to praise this movie for, it's for the strong, yet understated performance by Kassovitz
This movie, directed by Jacques Audiard, deals with Mathieu's character, Albert Dehousse, and his rise from a son living under his mother's insanity to becoming a leader of a French Revolutionary faction.
If there is anything to praise this movie for, it's for the strong, yet understated performance by Kassovitz
Forget Catch Me If You Can! Watch this!
manuel-pestalozzi27 May 2003
Impostors and make-believes have always been favorites of story tellers all over the globe, and there are quite a few movies about them. This biopic/mockumentary (with old war veteran's interviews!) is one of the very best, and you enjoy wondering how much truth is in the story long after the movie is over. I guess quite much of it.
The "hero" of the story is a very endearing person. The viewer gets to know him as a boy who grows up in fairly conventional circumstances. From the earliest days he lives between reality and fantasy. His acting out adventure stories he had read by himself in his small room in the attic is moving, it reminded me of my own childhood. The "hero" is naive and shrewd at the same time, and his rising in the military hierarchy of post war France as an alleged resistance hero is a fairy tale you can believe very easily. The hero's downfall is at first sight tragic but, on second thought, might also have been carefully planned by him. Well, he lived on happily ever after, they say.
The acting is very good, Mathieu Kassovitz proves to be an excellent performer who brings the ambiguity in the hero's character to life and gives him credibility, the child actor who plays the hero as a boy is equally convincing. Some secondary parts are worth remembering: There is a very non-stereotypical homosexual, a French army officer who makes a pass at the "hero" and, as there is no response to his advances, starts a lasting platonic friendship with him, teaching him in a fatherly way in the art of make believe. After becoming an officer of the secret service, the "hero" is transferred to Germany. There he resides in a spacious palace, waited on by an old uniformed German butler. Movie buffs will possibly recognize it as a parody of Erich von Stroheim in Renoir's "La Grande Illusion" (he teaches the socially unexperienced "hero" the waltz).
The movie is so good, I expect to see an American remake in the near future. To whoever will try to tackle the subject transatlantically, I recommend Preston Sturges' "Hail the Conquering Hero!".
The "hero" of the story is a very endearing person. The viewer gets to know him as a boy who grows up in fairly conventional circumstances. From the earliest days he lives between reality and fantasy. His acting out adventure stories he had read by himself in his small room in the attic is moving, it reminded me of my own childhood. The "hero" is naive and shrewd at the same time, and his rising in the military hierarchy of post war France as an alleged resistance hero is a fairy tale you can believe very easily. The hero's downfall is at first sight tragic but, on second thought, might also have been carefully planned by him. Well, he lived on happily ever after, they say.
The acting is very good, Mathieu Kassovitz proves to be an excellent performer who brings the ambiguity in the hero's character to life and gives him credibility, the child actor who plays the hero as a boy is equally convincing. Some secondary parts are worth remembering: There is a very non-stereotypical homosexual, a French army officer who makes a pass at the "hero" and, as there is no response to his advances, starts a lasting platonic friendship with him, teaching him in a fatherly way in the art of make believe. After becoming an officer of the secret service, the "hero" is transferred to Germany. There he resides in a spacious palace, waited on by an old uniformed German butler. Movie buffs will possibly recognize it as a parody of Erich von Stroheim in Renoir's "La Grande Illusion" (he teaches the socially unexperienced "hero" the waltz).
The movie is so good, I expect to see an American remake in the near future. To whoever will try to tackle the subject transatlantically, I recommend Preston Sturges' "Hail the Conquering Hero!".
Near perfect cinematic satire
Geofbob19 August 2001
Set in the period before, during and just after WWII, Jacques Audiard's brilliant and witty satire is about a compulsive impostor, Albert Dehousse, who so successfully convinces the French authorities that he fought in the resistance that he is made an officer in the army occupying Germany. It is not the easiest of viewing for non-French speakers who have to follow the sub-titles, but is well worth the trouble.
The movie's timeframe flashes back and forward; and director Jacques Audiard tells the story via a number of different devices, including normally acted sequences, voice-over, mock documentary interviews, newsreel footage, and even shots of the orchestra playing the background music. Mathieu Kassowitz portrays adult Albert as someone who is superficially engaging, but is empty inside, and has to consciously learn and then act out almost every gesture or emotional response. Like the film, Albert consists of disparate fragments, skillfully edited together into a convincing whole.
There is probably a pointed message here for the movie's home audience, about the way France as a whole has exaggerated WWII resistance, and swept collaboration under the carpet. But the film raises general questions about how we play roles and falsify our past histories in everyday life; it also reminds us that impostors, including some so-called celebrities, depend on our gulliblity for their success.
The movie's timeframe flashes back and forward; and director Jacques Audiard tells the story via a number of different devices, including normally acted sequences, voice-over, mock documentary interviews, newsreel footage, and even shots of the orchestra playing the background music. Mathieu Kassowitz portrays adult Albert as someone who is superficially engaging, but is empty inside, and has to consciously learn and then act out almost every gesture or emotional response. Like the film, Albert consists of disparate fragments, skillfully edited together into a convincing whole.
There is probably a pointed message here for the movie's home audience, about the way France as a whole has exaggerated WWII resistance, and swept collaboration under the carpet. But the film raises general questions about how we play roles and falsify our past histories in everyday life; it also reminds us that impostors, including some so-called celebrities, depend on our gulliblity for their success.
A Comedy Masterpiece
nbott26 August 2002
This film is a true masterpiece. The character delineation of our hero and how he gets there is true comedy at its best. Great comedy not only makes us laugh but makes us reflect on human life at the same time. This film does that. We get a satire on recent French history and well as the mores of the society. There are so many scenes where one knows that only a French film could be made this way.
This film is even better than Mr. Audiard's marvelous film "Read My Lips." The acting is superb and the script flawless. Do yourself a favor and rent this.
This film is even better than Mr. Audiard's marvelous film "Read My Lips." The acting is superb and the script flawless. Do yourself a favor and rent this.
Intelligent, strong satire, grew on 2nd viewing
runamokprods8 July 2011
Intelligent, droll, well made study of one cowardly man creating a new identity and remaking himself as a hero under the cover of war.
Poses interesting questions about identity and truth, and how we all invent ourselves.
Some terrific cinematography, and a solid lead performance by Mathieu Kassovitz.
On first viewing, something was missing for me emotionally. Sometimes the ideas seemed heavy handed, and other times, motives and characters underdeveloped.
But on re-visiting the pieces fell together, and while the underlying ideas still sometimes felt familiar, the sting of the satire danced beautifully with the underlying sadness of the main character.
Poses interesting questions about identity and truth, and how we all invent ourselves.
Some terrific cinematography, and a solid lead performance by Mathieu Kassovitz.
On first viewing, something was missing for me emotionally. Sometimes the ideas seemed heavy handed, and other times, motives and characters underdeveloped.
But on re-visiting the pieces fell together, and while the underlying ideas still sometimes felt familiar, the sting of the satire danced beautifully with the underlying sadness of the main character.
Amazing, amazing, absolutely amazing
Jonathan-1817 January 2000
Sweeping tale of a smart and lucky imposter, masterfully played by Mathieu Kassovitz during most of the movie. This combines short real footages with great acting all around. David Fernandes is touching as the young Albert, Jean-Louis Trintignant is perfect casting as the older/narrator.
An unforgettable movie. Have to see it to believe it. Perfect script. Once again a wonderful movie that did not get the respect, publicity, "fame" it fully deserves.
See this!
An unforgettable movie. Have to see it to believe it. Perfect script. Once again a wonderful movie that did not get the respect, publicity, "fame" it fully deserves.
See this!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
