Robust (Robuste)

Directed by Constance Meyer (France, 2021, 95 min.). French with English subtitles.

Gérard Depardieu is cheekily cast as Georges, a depressed and notoriously difficult to work with movie star who relies on his bodyguard, Lalou, for support. When Lalou is called out of town, young amateur wrestler Aissa (Déborah Lukumuena of Divines) takes his place as Georges’s protector and confidant. Georges and his new bodyguard discover there’s a lot they can learn from each other — if they don’t drive each other crazy first. As Depardieu and Lukemuena move masterfully through the awkward dance of uncovering a new friend’s scars and soft spots, there’s a palpable sense that the torch is being passed from a veteran actor to a rising star.

“Supremely well-performed.... A charming, refreshingly un-sappy odd-couple dramedy.” —Variety

Watch the trailer.