The Upstart

Transport Minister Bertrand Saint-James (Olivier Gourmet) is just starting his political career and has yet to prove himself to the citizens and within the party. He is forced to do so one night when he is called to a terrible accident: a coach has crashed into a ravine, killing several teenagers. Pauline (Zabou Breitman), Bertrand's head of public relations, makes sure that the minister's dismay at the scene of the accident is put in perspective by the media. And when he continues to publicly display a rousing determination in interviews the next day, this is the final starting signal for Bertrand's rise in the political circus. But his plan to always remain principled and stick to his basic ethical principles is soon put to the test. For even Bertrand, actually an idealist at heart, must learn that no progress is possible in politics without manipulation, intrigue and horse-trading.

With The Rising Star, director Pierre Schoeller takes a gripping look behind the scenes of politics. With a mixture of satirically tinged comedy, drama deeply rooted in reality, and intelligent suspense, Schoeller succeeds brilliantly in keeping his viewers riveted to the action, even if it often seems unclear what the story is actually getting at. Beginning with a very surreal dream sequence in which masked people, a naked woman and a crocodile play a central role, the viewer is immediately transported to the core of the main character. It quickly becomes clear the pressures Bertrand is under and how caught up he is in the mechanics of politics.

The relationship with his new chauffeur Martin Kuypers (Sylvain Deblé) is particularly interestingly realised. The minister is only slightly interested in the man who drives him and although he is constantly present, he remains for the politician only a servant, a face among many. Just the typical relationship between politician and ordinary citizen. But a dramatic experience will change that completely. The way Schoeller portrays this very event is enormously powerful and has a high sustainability. This allows the viewer to understand why this experience will involuntarily change Bertrand's life and attitude.

Aside from the fact that The Upstart is well observed and intelligently written, the drama is also quite great acting. Olivier Gourmet's strong performance makes the politician caught in the vortex of power mechanisms and society very tangible. Through him, Schoeller reveals the complexity of political decisions, which the public usually associates with one politician, when in reality many decision-makers, invisible to the ordinary citizen, are responsible for their creation, formulation, modification and enforcement.

Besides Gourmet, however, Michel Blanc as his chief of staff Gilles, Zabou Breitman as the head of public relations or even Sylvain Deblé as driver Martin deliver very engaging performances. They, as well as the rest of the cast, ensure that the very complex and, at its core, rather dry subject matter is conveyed in a tangible, engaging and highly entertaining manner. The Ascendant is a riveting look at the mechanics of government, the distribution of power within politics, and the master-slave relationship that prevails everywhere. Absolutely recommended for lovers of intelligent political drama and French arthouse fare!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp