Podium (2004)

The greatest movie ever made..!

Excellent but underrated film

Am I Missing Something?

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This movie came out in Belgium in 2003 but I waited to see this wonderful movie until now. The story is simple but the movie is great. Benoît Poelvoorde is playing Bernard, a bank clerk of the greatest dullness. A job he had to take 'cause his wife couldn't stand living with a dual-personality (or as she's called NO personality). So he promises her never to do the man again. His great obsession is the french star Claude François. Bernard is the perfect double of the star, no, resurrection is the better word. When there is a competition 5 years after the Promise, there's a competition for doubles on television and the best claude françois wins 100000 euro (125000 dollar) Bernard wants to compete and starts his old routine but he thinks he IS the star and starts acting on it. The actors are one for one top quality but the star is indeed Benoît Poelvoorde from my beloved country. His splendor, to be able to show a character that you can hate and love at the same time, is remarkable. I really can recommend this one Some pointers for the people oversees (United states): If you don't know claude françois it's easier to look at the movie like Claude = Elvis. Then it's easier to understand the hype If you look carefully: you can notice the original french version of 'my way' by Frank Sinatra or in this case 'comme d'habitude'

When a friend of mine told me about Podium she said that the movie was about a legendary french singer Claude Francois. Personally I love the movies based on bios, so I have nothing to said against it. In fact I had another good experience watching a French comedy (Gregorie Moulin vs Humanity). Not in the mood of that movie, Podium, instead of the Claude biography shows the life of Bernard, a banker that in his teenage years used to love everything about Claude, but his girlfriend made him let things down about his hero. In that time the only choice was his idol or her. Years later motivated by an imitators challenge Bernard suddenly begins to rise as Claude Francois and in the middle of his hallucination, everything begins to make sense. Or isn't it? In my humble opinion Podium goes further than its firsts goals. It doesn't have only good comedic moments, it also has very touching moments that goes around the main character, explaining the suddenly change in Bernard. A good comedy and although is long, the direction of this is really impressive. It makes you feel like the main character, his happiness, his sadness, even his loneliness. In some part of the movie I can also guarantee that you'll feel even like Claude. Have a good time watching this piece of art.Rating: 10 of 10.

Very good rhythm, pretty picture, wonderful actors, a lot of humour and some sweet and beautiful moments. So yes, it's a great movie and it's worth to see it! I'm not at all a fan of Claude François (I'm more into rock and jazz) but this movie gave me the will to discover this singer...it's quite weird... Anyway, Benoît is fantastic, very moving. Julie is sublime. Jean-Paul is perfect as usual. And there must be some future cult quotes ;)Well done to all the cast, the crew and Yann Moix!Rad ^__^

It's an excelllent comedy! Benoit Poelvoorde is totally amazing, the script is intelligent, smart and funny. Julie Depardieu is beautiful and a good actress and Jean-Paul Rouve from the Robin des Bois is excellent as Michel Polnareff! If you like Claude Francois this film is made for you!Well done.