They Were Five: A French classic that hits a little too close to home

Is this for you?

If you like your movies with a side of existential dread and don't mind reading subtitles, you'll probably like They Were Five. It’s not exactly a barrel of laughs, but it feels real. If you prefer your cinema to have a happy ending where everything gets tied up in a neat little bow, maybe skip this one. It's a bit of a downer, honestly.

Jean Gabin is in it, which is basically the only reason I clicked play. The man could read a grocery list and make it sound like a tragedy.

The Lottery Trap

So, these five guys are dirt poor. They win the lottery and, instead of doing something smart like paying off debt or buying a house, they buy a dumpy ruin. They want to build an open-air cafe. It’s the kind of decision that feels romantic in the first ten minutes and then starts feeling like a massive mistake.

The transition from 'best friends' to 'business partners' is brutal to watch. You can see the shift in their faces, especially when the money starts getting tight. It’s not just about the cash; it’s about how they start looking at each other differently. There's this one scene where they're arguing over a bill, and it’s just so painfully relatable.

Bits and Bobs

• The cafe set actually feels lived-in, not like a studio stage.
• Some of the side characters are just there to stir the pot, and they do a great job at it.
• The pacing is a bit weird. It lingers on small arguments and rushes through the big ones.
• I found myself yelling at the screen, 'Just sell the place already!'

It’s funny, I was thinking about Sunday Calm while watching this. Both films have that same sense of everyday people getting chewed up by their own choices. It’s not exactly the same vibe, but there’s a shared weight to it.

Final thoughts (for now)

The movie doesn't try to teach you a moral lesson. It just shows you how five guys can go from having a dream to having a headache. It's messy, it's a bit slow at times, but it's worth it for the acting alone. Watching their friendship unravel is like watching a car crash in slow motion. You don't want to look, but you can't help it.

Maybe don't watch this with your business partners if you want to stay friends. Just a heads up. 💸