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Bellamy (film)
Bellamy — known as Inspector Bellamy in the U.S. — is a French murder mystery film released in 2009. It is the last film of celebrated French director Claude Chabrol, who died the following year, and the only time he worked with star Gérard Depardieu. Chabrol said in an interview that the film is like a "novel that Simenon never wrote", a kind of "Maigret on vacation".[1] Plot summaryInspector Paul Bellamy (Depardieu) is a seasoned Parisian police detective on vacation with his wife Françoise (Marie Bunel) at her family home in Nîmes. Their tranquil holiday is complicated when he cannot resist becoming involved in the case of a man, insurance broker Emile Leullet (Jacques Gamblin), who recently attempted to fake his own death in a car crash near Sète for his mistress (Vahina Giocante) and the insurance money. Leullet, hiding under an assumed name and altered appearance and unsure what to do now, seeks out Bellamy for help. (Bellamy is a celebrity and well known throughout France through his published memoirs, which reveal he has a "soft spot for murderers"). Leullet may or may not have killed the homeless man whose corpse was found burned in his car. The dead man, Denis Leprince (also played by Gamblin), was a son of a local judge, now also dead. Bellamy's alcoholic half-brother Jacques Lebas (Clovis Cornillac) shows up unexpectedly and soon he and Paul are bickering bitterly and Paul is back on the bottle himself, which he had previously given up. Françoise is not thrilled with all the disruptions. In between socializing with their gay dentist friend and his partner and quarreling with Jacques, Paul finds time to informally interview and repeatedly question Leullet, Leullet's wife, Leullet's mistress, Leprince's former lover, and many other local denizens. As things become more complicated, family tensions threaten to overwhelm professional obligations. Paul, a professional tough guy, finds himself pondering the meaning of his own life and relationships. Leullet turns himself in to the clueless local police chief who, apparently, has been sleeping with the mistress. He is acquitted at the trial where he is represented (at Bellamy's suggestion) by Leprince's girlfriend's lawyer who renders the defense (also at Bellamy's suggestion) in the form of a Georges Brassens song. (Brassens was a local Sète hero and had been something of an obsession for Leprince.) Jacques absconds with Paul's car and is soon reported dead in a car crash, but only after Paul has revealed to Françoise the dark secret underlying his fraught relationship with his half-brother and the source of his lifelong tristesse. The film ends with a W.H. Auden epigram: "There is always another story/There is more than meets the eye". Cast
ReceptionThe review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes rates Bellamy at 88% favorable, based on 26 reviews, as of October 2014. The 2014 film Bellamy, directed by Claude Chabrol, has garnered a mix of critical responses. Many reviewers appreciate its leisurely pacing and the depth of character exploration, particularly Gérard Depardieu’s portrayal of Inspector Paul Bellamy. Critics note that while the film unfolds as a murder mystery, it focuses more on the psychological aspects of its characters rather than traditional investigative tropes. The film is set in Nîmes, where Inspector Bellamy, along with his wife, is on vacation but becomes embroiled in a murder case involving a man who may or may not have committed the crime. The narrative intricately weaves familial tensions, particularly between Bellamy and his younger brother, adding layers to the story beyond the central mystery.[2][3] Reviewers highlight Chabrol’s signature style, describing the film as a “playful dramatic murder mystery” that combines a leisurely pace with an engaging plot, making it appealing to both arthouse audiences and fans of more mainstream detective stories. The film’s sunny Provençal setting contrasts with its darker themes, enhancing the viewer’s experience. [4] Overall, Bellamy is seen as a thoughtful entry in Chabrol’s filmography, characterised by strong performances and a focus on character dynamics rather than a conventional crime narrative.[5] References
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