Le Dernier Milliardaire: René Clair's messy, funny look at power

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s European satire, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. It’s a bit wobbly, sure, and the pacing feels like a brisk walk that occasionally trips over its own feet. But if you’re looking for something that isn't just another predictable drama, this is it.

People who hate black-and-white films or find old-fashioned theatrical acting annoying? Skip it. You’ll be bored to tears by the second act. Everyone else, pull up a chair.

The whole premise is just deliciously cynical. A bankrupt state essentially auctions off its sovereignty to a billionaire. It’s the kind of "be careful what you wish for" story that feels weirdly relevant even now. Though, let’s be honest, it’s much more chaotic than anything we deal with today.

The Absurdity of It All

Max Dearly is playing the billionaire, and he really leans into the madness. There’s a specific scene where he forces the cabinet to change their fashion—the hats alone are worth the price of admission. It’s so silly it almost hurts.

You can tell Clair was having a laugh at everyone’s expense. There’s this weird, frantic energy to the way the ministers scramble around him. It reminded me a bit of the frantic desperation seen in Young and Beautiful, though this is far more political.

• The sets are delightfully artificial.
• Some of the extras look like they’re just waiting for lunch break.
• The sound mixing is… well, it’s from 1934. Don't expect perfection.

There are moments where the film just stops to let a joke land, and it stays there way longer than it needs to. It’s almost awkward. But then, just when you’re about to check your watch, something completely bizarre happens, like someone dancing in the wrong costume at the wrong time.

It’s not as tight as a modern thriller. It’s not even as polished as some of Clair’s other work. But it has this rough, human pulse to it. It’s not trying to be a perfect, clean piece of cinema. It’s just trying to show you how pathetic people can be when they smell money.

Honestly, the ending is a bit of a shrug. It doesn't wrap up with a neat little bow or a profound speech. It just… ends. I kind of loved that about it. It’s like the movie realized it had said what it needed to say and decided to go home early. 🎥