Fernandel in L'Ordonnance malgré lui: A chaotic scramble

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you are a completionist for 1930s French cinema or a die-hard Fernandel fan. If you want a tight script or anything resembling logical pacing, steer clear. It feels like a stage play that decided to wander outside for a bit of air and forgot how to come back.

It is definitely one of those movies that exists in its own little bubble. People who hate broad, physical comedy will absolutely loathe it. But, there is a weird, dusty charm to how frantic it gets. 🎥

The plot is a total mess. It starts with the usual case of mistaken identity, which is basically the bread and butter of this era. You have seen this setup in The Hoodlum or even older stuff like The Fable of the Traveling Salesman. It is comfort food, I guess.

Notes from the couch

• Fernandel's teeth. They really are the star of the show, aren't they? He knows exactly when to grimace to get a laugh.
• The military uniforms look like they were pulled out of a bargain bin from 1910.
• There is this one scene in the barracks that goes on forever. I think the camera guy just got tired of moving.
• The supporting cast seems to be having a contest to see who can look the most confused at any given second.

It is not exactly a masterwork of editing. Sometimes a shot lingers on a reaction for three seconds too long. It starts to feel a bit awkward, like someone forgot to yell 'cut.' But that is part of the fun, right? It feels real, in a very low-budget, slightly desperate kind of way.

There is a lot of shouting. Just constant, rhythmic shouting. It is not quite as charming as the energy you find in Amour et carrefour, but it gets the job done. I caught myself checking my watch, but then Fernandel did something weird with his eyes and I was back in it again. 🤡

The film doesn't care if you keep up with the story. It just wants to get to the next gag. It is a relic. A very silly, very loud relic.