L'assaut (1936) - Charles Vanel keeps this old political drama alive

Is it worth your time?

If you like watching old French movies where men in heavy wool suits stare intensely at each other, then yes. It’s a solid pick for anyone who enjoys political mud-slinging or Charles Vanel being generally incredible.

You’ll probably hate it if you need action or if you can't stand long scenes of people talking in rooms. It feels very much like a play, which makes sense because it was based on one. 📽️

I sat down with L'assaut thinking it would be another dry, dusty relic. But there is something about the way Alexandre Mérital (played by Vanel) handles his world falling apart that feels surprisingly modern.

The plot is simple enough. Mérital is a big-shot politician who is actually doing some good, or at least he thinks so.

Then this guy Frépeau shows up. He’s the rival, the kind of guy who probably practices his mean face in the mirror.

Frépeau finds out that Mérital stole some money when he was a kid. In 1936, this was apparently enough to end a career, which is funny when you think about what politicians get away with now.

The movie doesn't spend much time on the 'how' of the theft. It’s more about the weight of it.

There is this one shot of Vanel sitting at his desk where he looks like he’s aged ten years in a second. His eyes just go sort of flat. It’s great stuff.

The pacing is a bit weird, though. It starts off fast, then we get these really long stretches where people are just explaining their feelings about 'honor'.

I found myself looking at the background actors during the big crowd scenes. Some of them look like they are trying so hard to look concerned, while others are clearly just waiting for lunch. 🥪

One lady in the back of the courtroom scene has a hat that is so large it almost blocks the main characters. I couldn't stop looking at it.

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Toute sa vie, where everything feels very heavy and serious. But L'assaut has more of a bite to it.

The way Mérital decides to fight back is pretty cynical. He doesn't say "I'm innocent." He says "You're just as bad as me."

He digs up a financial scandal on Frépeau. It’s basically a game of blackmail chicken.

There is a scene near the end where the two of them are talking and the silence goes on for a long time. It’s actually uncomfortable. I think the director forgot to cut or something, but it works.

The lighting in the office scenes is very noir-ish before noir was really a thing. Lots of shadows making the characters look like they have two faces.

I do think the movie lets Mérital off the hook a bit too easily. He’s still a thief, even if it was a long time ago.

But that's the point of these Bernstein plays, I guess. Everyone is a little bit dirty. 🧼

The dialogue is very wordy. Sometimes it feels like they are competing to see who can use the most syllables in a single breath.

I noticed a weird clicking sound in the audio during the garden scene. Maybe it was a bird or just the old film strip acting up. It was distracting for a minute.

It’s a much more interesting watch than something like Israël, which also deals with these big social themes but feels way more dated to me.

Vanel really is the whole show. Without him, it would just be a bunch of guys complaining about taxes and reputation.

He has this way of holding a cigarette that makes it look like the most important thing in the world. 🚬

The ending is... fine. It’s a bit abrupt. One minute they are at each other's throats, and the next, it’s basically over.

It felt like the movie ran out of film and they had to wrap it up in five minutes. Still, it’s worth a look if you find it on a streaming service for free or in a bargain bin.

Don't expect to be blown away by the camerawork. It’s mostly just pointing and shooting. But the faces are what matter here.

I'm glad I watched it, even if I'll probably forget the specific plot details by next week. The feeling of the tension stays with you though.

• Best moment: When Mérital realizes he’s been caught and doesn’t even blink.
• Worst moment: The really loud, dramatic music that kicks in for no reason during a simple walk down a hallway.
• Vibe: Dark rooms, fancy mustaches, and a lot of pointing fingers.

Anyway, it's a decent 1930s drama. Not a masterpiece, but better than average for its time.