Their films have become cult. This Sunday, December 1, 2024, Stéphane Boudsocq received Marie-Anne Chazel, Gérard Jugnot and Thierry Lhermitte in “Let yourself be tempted” on RTL. The three accomplices came to celebrate the fifty years of friendship between them, an anniversary occurring in a particular context, two months after the disappearance of Michel Blanc. The actor, pillar of the group, died on October 3.
“Sometimes getting a good review is very worrying”
Together, they wrote the book “The Splendid by the Splendid, we had so much fun!”, available since November 21 from Editions du Cherche Midi. A work which looks back on the birth of their legendary troupe, whose successes on stage and in the cinema have marked several generations. From the triumph of “Bronzés” by Patrice Leconte to the irresistible “Père Noël est une ordure” by Jean-Marie Poiré, the troupe's works have crossed the ages, becoming part of French cultural heritage.
ALSO READ: “It’s a massive blow”: Gérard Jugnot, Josiane Balasko, Bruno Moynot… The members of Splendid pay tribute to Michel Blanc
However, according to them, this popular success has not always gone hand in hand with critical recognition. “Sometimes getting a good review is very worrying“, smiles Marie-Anne Chazel at the radio microphone with red bonnets. “It depends on who“, retorts Gérard Jugnot. “We will name the names“, jokes Stéphane Boudsocq. Thierry Lhermitte, more serious, then analyzed this phenomenon: “No, but I'll tell you! When you make a popular film and you get a good review in 'Le Monde' or in 'Libé', that means the film won't work“, he assures.
“This is not a criticism of these newspapers. That means they see what's not popular and that's what they like.”he explains. “When you make a film that is appreciated by these newspapers, there is very little chance that you will be a success because that is precisely what they like.“, he adds. “I saw on a poster: 'Télérama: hilarious'. I looked for the error“, laughs Gérard Jugnot. A remark approved by Thierry Lhermitte, who concludes: “Yes, it's an oxymoron. It's normal, it's people's taste. They have a nose for liking what is not popular. But there's no harm, it's their specificity.“
