The Goats

In the 17th century, when animals can be tried for misdeeds, Maître Pompignac, a lawyer from Clermont-Ferrand, finds himself at the heart of an unexpected case. Despite his professional setbacks, he believes he has found the case of the century when he defends Josette, a young innocent wrongly accused of murdering a marshal. However, his path crosses that of his feared adversary, the Parisian Maître Valvert, and above all that of Josette, revealing a hilarious misunderstanding: she's none other than a goat!

Maître Pompignac's story, steeped in love, paternity and the quest for recognition, takes an unexpected turn in this legal duel between stupidity and wisdom. Rivalries between the provinces and Paris, questions of droit de sol, borders, sincere love and reconversion are interwoven in a narrative that transcends time.

Admittedly, this film may not be a contender for the next Awards, but a closer look reveals a subtle exploration of contemporary themes. It highlights the immutability of human stupidity and its relentless desire to surpass itself in foolishness since 1644. The comedy offers a bold combination of ideas and subjects, from regional rivalry to profound considerations of love and the quest for identity.

The Goats reveals a varied panorama, blending elements of farce with a reflection on the absurdities of human nature. Despite its light-hearted tone, it raises pertinent questions about the human condition and the persistence of certain absurdities in our society. As a family film, it offers an unexpected conclusion, demonstrating that, as the saying goes, "In all things, consider the end.

Les Chèvres !
Directed by Fred Cavayé
Produced by Éric Jehelmann, Philippe Rousselet
Written by Fred Cavayé, Sarah Kaminsky, Nicolas Slomka, Matthieu Rumani
With Dany Boon, Jérôme Commandeur, Claire Chust, Alexandre Desrousseaux, Vincent Grass, Grégory Gadebois, Marie-Anne Chazel , Sophie-Marie Larrouy, Fatsah Bouyahmed, Bun Hay Mean, André Penvern, Corentin Masson 
Music: Christophe Julien
Director of photography: Denis Rouden
Editing: Mikael Dumontier
Production company: Jérico
Distributed by Pathé (France)
Release date: February 21, 2024 (France)
Running time: 100 minutes

Seen on February 24, 2024 at Villa Monciné Saint-André-de-Cubzac

Laurent Baruch's Mark:

Les Chèvres had all the necessary ingredients on paper to establish itself as a quality popular comedy, benefiting from a director renowned for his mastery in creating memorable films, a prestigious cast featuring the veteran comedy duo Dany Boon and Jérôme Commandeur, and an original, captivating subject. Unfortunately, this comedy turned out to be a dismal disappointment, unable to reach the heights of humor expected.

With the exception of a well-placed joke about Maître Pompignac, a lawyer ranked 243rd in the faculty of Clermont-Ferrand, the film disappoints with a narrative oscillating between ugliness and an overabundance of clichés. It seems that director Fred Cavayé concentrated the film's budget mainly on the actors' salaries, with Netflix's participation aimed at guaranteeing a certain profitability. However, this cannot justify an artistic failure of this magnitude.

The cast, comprising Dany Boon, Jérôme Commandeur and Grégory Gadebois, is underused in roles that do little to disguise the mediocrity of the script. Dany Boon, already seen in a similar role in Radin! once again plays the false loser with a performance that leaves much to be desired. Jérôme Commandeur, though brilliant as a capital ridicule, fails to save the film or make it a recommendable comedy.

The initial concept, based on a fantastic true story from the 14th century in which an animal was accused of murder, could have provided an intriguing basis for a comedy. However, Fred Cavayé's treatment of the subject turns out to be exceptionally ugly, with disappointing 3D models and excessive directorial choices in a vain attempt to appear modern.

What's more, the film piles on layers of stupidity to denounce stupidity, with misogynistic elements and racist clichés tarnishing the cinematic experience. Humor seems to be sacrificed in favor of outdated stereotypes, making the film, in 2024, look more archaic than the worst turnips from Louis de Funès' golden age. A popular comedy must rely not only on a cast of talented actors, but above all on an excellent script and a truly committed director, capable of deploying all his originality.

Despite its claim to shed light on a time when animals were tried for crimes, the film fails in its attempt to satirize our modern society by taking these failings 400 years back in time. The natural settings in the Dordogne and Périgord regions fail to compensate for the film's shortcomings, and the 3D effects add to the dubious aesthetics of the whole.

Ultimately, Les Chèvres proves to be a comedy that struggles to find its audience, with anachronistic elements that fail to generate enthusiasm. Despite Fred Cavayé's attempt to revisit a true story, the film fails to transcend its own limitations, leaving the viewer with a definite disappointment. One might consider that the real crime here is to charge viewers to see this cinematic debacle, which might have been better deserved as a direct release on VOD or a streaming platform.

The Goats!
Directed by Fred Cavayé
Produced by Éric Jehelmann, Philippe Rousselet
Written by Fred Cavayé, Sarah Kaminsky, Nicolas Slomka, Matthieu Rumani
Starring Dany Boon, Jérôme Commandeur, Claire Chust, Alexandre Desrousseaux, Vincent Grass, Grégory Gadebois, Marie-Anne Chazel , Sophie-Marie Larrouy, Fatsah Bouyahmed, Bun Hay Mean, André Penvern, Corentin Masson 
Music by Christophe Julien
Cinematography : Denis Rouden
Edited by Mikael Dumontier
Production companies : Jérico
Distributed by Pathé (France)
Release date : February 28, 2024 (France)
Running time : 100 minutes

Viewed February 28, 2024 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 7 seat A19

Mulder's Mark: