I had plenty of reasons to be optimistic when I chose to see ‘Tendre poulet‘, Philippe de Broca‘s film made in 1977. It is labeled as ‘romantic and detective comedy’, two genres in which de Broca had some notable successes. Starring Philippe Noiret and Annie Girardot, two actors I really like and who were in 1977 passed beyond the age of ‘first youth’ roles but in full maturity and creative form. The adaptation and dialogues are signed (and) by Michel Audiard, who gave charm and naturalness to so many words spoken in successful French films. Even the title of the film, with the pun in which ‘poulet’ also means chicken but also a policeman promises.And yet, ‘Tendre poulet‘ somehow disappointed me, failing to meet but partially my expectations.
A (literally and figuratively) accidental meeting between the two heroes triggers a series of comic-sentimental events that inevitably include a sudden (‘coup de foudre’ as the French say) and mutual falling in love. The only problem is that in the whirlwind of events Lise (Annie Girardot) fails to mention that she is one of the most important police officers in France who is entrusted to solve a series of crimes that have as victims senators in the French Parliament, while Antoine (Philippe Noiret) dislikes the police. The woman whose job requires walking with a gun under her elegant clothes and the Greek teacher hating violence will have to solve these differences, and, of course, the police intrigue.
What I liked. The film tackles with a feminist theme long before Helen Mirren or Frances McDormand made memorable characters out of female police inspectors. Some of the comic situations are excellently sketched – for example the one in which the policewoman appears in the teacher’s classroom and the two mature people become the target of the ironies of the young students, or the dialogues between the teacher allergic to police and his girlfriend’s colleagues. In addition to the performances of Philippe Noiret and Annie Annie Girardot, some of the supporting roles (the mother and the aunt, the demagogue senator) also give the opportunity for delicious performances. The style of the film is relaxed, with one exception – a Hitchcock-like suspense scene – in which we are reminded that de Broca was also an excellent director of action films. What I liked less. The police intrigue is not only thin but also has a very predictable solution. The character of the police commissioner is insufficiently developed, we fail to realize exactly what are the skills that brought her to the position she is. The script is also thin in terms of emotions, leaving no time for the two protagonists to develop a relationship that we can take somewhat seriously. Relying too much on comedy but also keeping this part within the limits of prudence, ‘Tendre poulet‘ misses the opportunity to be a more solid film and gives the impression that the director and screenwriters did not aim higher than to make a light and superficial entertainment movie. However, at least for the two wonderful actors in the lead roles, the film is worth watching or rewatching.