Un honnête commerçant (2002) User Reviews

Interesting polar from tiny Belgium.

[stuka24 · 8/10 · 8 August 2009]

It may take a bit of time for things to get going, but when it does, this film delivers under the classic rules of the genre. Unpredictable ending, twists and turns, "can't trust anybody" ... The "class system" is always present: the IRS inspector earns a pittance being honest, a copper "can't be successful, if not, he wouldn't be there", a public employee has bad manners whereas a mafioso has good manners.

Philippe Noiret's role is not really important, but it's understandable that he's mentioned before Yolande Moreau, who acts just as well, and is the unassuming centre of the story.

Verkamen is the stereotype of a psychopath: remorseless, glib charm, always calm, even when violent. Always with the right explanation for what he does: "If I don't do it, somebody else would", "My victims would die anyway, it's a bad society", "This is the last refuge of dreams in capitalism". What in my opinion is not well explained is how he "becomes" one, since when he has his problem with his wife and when Chevalier starts showing him how to deal with "greedy dealer" (Francis) he seems to be a normal person. Even Insp. Bex questions him about how could he be "issuing from a normal family, and yet being such a dealer", showing an assumption: "psychopaths are sociopaths" (in the sense of "created by society"). Insp. Denoote's role could be more developed, he seems more of a victim than a sleuth.

As it's usually the case, the biggest star has the best line. Chevalier whispers to Vermaken before dealing with their first murder: "Le vrai pouvoir (...) c'est du juste pronocer un mot, et que quelq'un meurt". Just before, he taught him social etiquette, how to drive (!) and "how not to trust anybody, and yet use them to your advantage" (with specific tips for the different chains of the business). His short speech on how killing your competence is just what capitalism is all about reminds me of Schumpeter's "destructive capitalism", although applied to the underworld :). The liason between the inspectors was just one of the details that aren't too hard for us not to suspect them, but not predictable, and explain things over (Denoote's silence). Don't expect "reality principle", as in most films, and ... beware of female inspector psychologists who look shabby :)!

An honest dealer

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 15 February 2012]

We are taken to a police interrogation room where Hubert Verkamen, a man suspected of being the kingpin of the heroin trafficking in Belgium. Before, there has been a massacre in which professional criminals killed a family in a heartless and bloody fashion. Inspectors Chantal Bex, and her colleague, Jean Denoote, try everything in the book to pin a murder rap to the man they suspect was behind the drugs and the crime.

Behind the whole process there is a figure larger than life, Louis Chevalier, who was the one responsible for recruiting Hubert Verkamen, is shown in flashbacks as how he brought the man into his criminal organization. Verkamen, who rose from a lowly job as an income tax representatives into the head of the operation. In fact, Chevalier never saw it happening in front of his eyes.

This Belgian entry was written and directed by Phillippe Blasband, who created the right atmosphere in which Verkamen rises to the prominent position, ending up with everything. The premise of presenting the man trying to fool the police detectives that want to get him in prison. The two inspectors find themselves dealing with an intelligent man who rose from a low bureaucratic rank into one of power. In fact, Verkamen is wise enough to even try to implicate the third detective by offering a lucrative deal.

Where Mr. Blasband succeeds is in the formidable casting of the central character in the film. Benoit Verhaet does not make a false move in his portrayal of the hardened criminal trying to outsmart his interrogators. The great Phillippe Noiret appears as Louis Chevalier. Even though he is only seen in a minor role, his time in front of the camera proves why he was such a welcome presence in each film in which he appeared. Another excellent performance is Yolande Moreau, whose controlled approach to her inspector Bex works so well. Same can be said about Frederic Bodson's inspector Denoote, a man with a sick wife, having an affair with his colleague Bex.

Good camera work by Virginie Saint-Martin, who works in dark images that work well within the context of the story. The incidental music is by Daan Stuyven. Director Phillippe Blasband, an excellent writer, was making his full length film debut. He impresses in his first effort.

Absorbing, sophisticated

[mpeters-7 · 9 August 2004]

This movie is also being rented out as "an honest dealer", and may be referred to as "step by step" - although there is another movie called "step by step" which is not "Un honnête commerçant". So, there. To those who need a bit of a respite from the Hollywood type heavy duty drug dealer drama, this provides welcome relief. A very absorbing and riveting tale that makes up for the lack of fisty-cuffs and knock-em down drag-em-out by a very inventive plot. Set in Belgium though it hardly matters where. You will be very busy trying to second-guess the principal character's reasons for saying and doing what he says and does. You will not be bored ! Subtitles are of the new generation - they stand out clearly and are easily read without visual idiocies so common in older subtitles. Outstanding acting by the character in the starring role and the usual fine performance one would expect from Phillippe Noiret.