Le Complexe du kangourou (1986)
Directed by Pierre Jolivet

Film Review

Director Pierre Jolivet followed up his debut feature Strictement personnel (which was nominated for the Best First Work César in 1986) with this somewhat lighter film, a downbeat comedy dealing with that perennial favourite, the male menopause. The film is impressively cast with Roland Giraud in the lead role, giving a sympathetic and convincing portrayal of a middle-aged man pining for fatherhood, reminiscent of the role he had just played in Coline Serreau's 3 hommes et un couffin (1985). In addition, there are some pleasing supporting contributions from Zabou Breitman and François Berléand, who both appeared in subsequent films by Jolivet.

A good-natured, down-to-earth comedy, Le Complexe du kangourou is atypical of Jolivet's work, which is generally somewhat darker in tone and comprises noirish thrillers - Fred (1997), En plein coeur (1998) - and comedies with a gritty social dimension - Ma petite entreprise (1999), Zim and Co. (2005) - not forgetting his singular crepuscular sci-fi offering Simple mortel (1991). In his first comedy, Jolivet aims for something nearer to everyday life but without regurgitating the tedious banalities and well-worn clichés that this kind of film tends to rely on. Whilst less substantial than the director's subsequent work, it an engaging and entertaining piece.

Film Synopsis

Loïc, a Parisian artist in his mid-thirties, prefers to burn his paintings rather than sell them before he has perfected his talent.  He earns a crust selling roast chestnuts and shares an apartment with a Polish woman he married to give her residency rights in France.  He dreams of starting a family with his girlfriend Odile, but he knows that he is sterile and so this can never be.  One day, he runs into an old flame, Claire, who, by chance has an infant son.    Loïc does a quick calculation and realises that Claire must have conceived whilst she was living with him.  In which case...