Augustin (1995)
Directed by Anne Fontaine

Film Review

Augustin is a lovingly painted, brilliantly original study of a man who happily breezes through life oblivious to his autism and other personal deficiencies.  Director Anne Fontaine's aptitude for portraying unusual, complex individuals realistically and sympathetically is never more so in evidence than in this (appropriately) short film.

Augustin is a character who is both fascinating and repulsive - he has dreams of being a celebrity, but he has never had sex; he sucks up to his managers but has contempt for his peers; and his view of the world is perversely ego-centric.  If that wasn't enough, he is afflicted with a stammer which, when he is nervous, makes him virtually unintelligible.

We ought to see Augustin as a loathsome worm, a pathetic loser who deserves our contempt - but we don't.  Despite his obvious faults,  or maybe because of these faults, Augustin is someone we cannot help warming to.   Fontaine's intelligent screenplay and direction brings us close to the character but it is Jean-Chrétien Sibertin-Blanc's portrayal of Augustin that makes us love him.  (A propos, Sibertin-Blanc is Fontaine's brother, suggesting the film may perhaps have an autobiographical element to it.)

Hilariously funny in some places, heart-breakingly poignant in others, Augustin is a delightful little film which leaves a lasting impression.  Anyone who is interested to know what happened next to Augustin should watch  Anne Fontaine's later film, Augustin, roi du Kung-fu (1999), which again stars Jean-Chrétien Sibertin-Blanc as France's answer to Mr Bean.

Film Synopsis

Augustin is a friendless 30-year-old who works for an insurance company but dreams of becoming a big film star.  As he waits for opportunity to come knocking on his door, he goes for auditions for walk-on parts, so far with limited success.  One day, he is called to read for a small part as a hotel room service attendant in a film featuring the well-known actor Thierry Lhermitte.  Believing that his boat has finally come in, Augustin throws himself into the part, even going as far as to get some real experience of work in a hotel.  Yes, there's method in his madness...