On the poster for “Like a chef”, a comedy with a gastronomy background released in 2012, Jean Reno embodies a great starred chef. For this film, he received two nominations and an award at the 7th Gérard du Cinéma ceremony, a ceremony which distinguishes the worst of French cinema.
Like a hint of turnip
In 2012, Daniel Cohen’s “culinary” comedy As a leader misses in large widths. On a budget of 10 million euros, the story of a famous chef anguished at losing one of his Michelin stars and of his inventive and funny apprentice, respectively interpreted by Jean Reno and Michaël Youn, collects only one little more than 2.5 million revenue in France, for a worldwide total of approximately 7 million… On the public side, the film goes almost unnoticed, despite being selected in numerous secondary festivals in 2012 and 2014. In short, a fine oven.
As a leaderon a subject a priori carrier, is unfortunately much too flat to highlight its universe and its starting qualities. Jean Reno like Michaël Youn each do the minimum. The dishes and overall the culinary art are never highlighted. The rhythm is weak… We are very far from the inspiration assumed by the director of Wing or thigh. And yet, the film will be distinguished. Finally, “distinguished”, with great irony. Indeed, Jean Reno will be named in two different categories of the 7th and last Gérard du Cinéma ceremony.
Jean Reno distinguished by the French “Razzie Awards”
Created in 2006 by journalist Frédéric Royer, the Gérard du Cinéma is a parodic and satirical ceremony that mocks the major awards ceremonies by distinguishing the worst performances and achievements of French cinema of the year. This ceremony is directly inspired by the American ceremony of Razzie Awardsthe principle of which is exactly the same.
The Gérard du Cinéma went in 2008 from simply reversed nominations (worst film, worst actor, worst director, etc.) to nominations with titles that are each time unique and as humorous as possible. Thus, for its last edition in 2012Jean Reno was distinguished by two very special nominations, for an award.
The actor of Leon and of Impossible mission was thus nominated, for his performance in As a leaderto “Gérard of the cult actor who turned in good films. And then, one day obviously, it pissed him off“. Nominated in this category with a funny and insightful title alongside Valérie Lemercier, Clovis Cornillac, Christian Clavier and Jean-Pierre Bacri. It was the latter who won the Gérard, for his performance in Before dawn.
But Jean Reno does not leave empty-handed, since he obtains the victory in the Gérard category of masculine despair. So he wins a 5 kilo gold cinder block. He faced competitors like Louis Garrel, Franck Dubosc, Élie Semoun and Jérémie Elkaïm.
