Okay, rewind your minds back to the early 90s. Picture this: wandering the aisles of your local video store, maybe the "Foreign Films" section which always felt a bit mysterious, and stumbling across a French comedy with a surprisingly action-packed cover. You might have picked up "The Jackpot!" (or La Totale! as it was known in its homeland) out of curiosity. Little did many of us know back then that this unassuming 1991 gem, directed by French comedy veteran Claude Zidi, held the DNA for a future Hollywood behemoth.
### The Spy Who Bored Me?
The setup is pure comedic gold, the kind of high-concept premise that just works. François Voisin, played with brilliant duality by Thierry Lhermitte (a huge star in France, known for the Les Bronzés films and part of the famed Le Splendid comedy troupe), is living a double life. To his wife Hélène (Miou-Miou, always fantastic) and everyone else, he's a painfully average, utterly predictable telecom employee. Think sensible sweaters and conversations about phone lines. But secretly? François is "L'Épervier" (The Hawk), a top-tier secret agent for the DGSE, France's external intelligence agency, involved in high-stakes missions involving arms dealers and international intrigue.
The genius lies in the collision of these two worlds. Hélène, understandably weary of her husband's perceived dullness, finds herself drawn to the attentions of Simon (Eddy Mitchell, the beloved French singer and actor, oozing sleazy charm). Simon, a used car salesman looking for excitement (and maybe a score), spins Hélène a web of lies, pretending he's the dashing secret agent. The irony is thick enough to spread on a baguette: the bored wife of a real spy falls for a fake one.
### That Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi
What makes La Totale! so enjoyable, especially looking back through our VHS-tinted glasses, is its distinctly French flavour. Directed by Claude Zidi, who gave audiences hits like My New Partner (1984, Les Ripoux), the film balances domestic farce with spy-thriller elements in a way that feels less bombastic and more character-driven than its later American counterpart. Zidi knows his comedy, letting the situational humor simmer. Thierry Lhermitte is superb, switching seamlessly between beige Voisin and capable L'Épervier, his exasperation and jealousy fuelling much of the plot. Miou-Miou captures Hélène's longing and eventual bewildered empowerment perfectly.
And yes, let's address the elephant in the room, or perhaps the Harrier Jet in the room. This film was, of course, the direct inspiration for James Cameron's explosive 1994 blockbuster True Lies. Seeing La Totale! now feels like discovering the blueprint. It’s fascinating to see the core plot points – the neglected wife, the secret agent husband using agency resources to investigate (and manipulate) her affair, the eventual merging of their worlds – handled with a different rhythm and scale. A True Lies VHS was practically fused into my VCR deck back in the day, so discovering its French origins felt like uncovering a cool secret history. Reportedly, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself saw La Totale! on a flight and pushed for the remake rights, leading to Cameron's involvement.
### Action, French Style
While La Totale! doesn't boast the jaw-dropping, budget-busting practical effects of True Lies (no horse chases through hotels or Harriers battling terrorists here!), it still delivers some satisfying, grounded action sequences typical of the era. Think car chases through Parisian streets, shootouts in warehouses, and tense infiltration scenes. It feels tangible, real in that pre-CG way we cherish here at VHS Heaven. The stakes feel personal, rooted in François trying to protect his identity and salvage his marriage amidst the chaos. The action serves the comedy and the characters, rather than the other way around. Zidi stages these moments effectively, reminding us that exciting sequences didn't always need nine-figure budgets back then, just clever choreography and committed performers. Remember how thrilling even a well-executed car chase felt on that slightly fuzzy CRT screen?
The film was a solid hit in France upon release, but remained relatively unknown internationally until True Lies exploded onto the scene. Watching it today offers a unique perspective – it's not just a precursor, but a genuinely funny and clever film in its own right, showcasing a different comedic sensibility applied to the same brilliant idea. It’s perhaps less slick, less concerned with spectacle, but possesses a warmth and wit that’s entirely its own.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: La Totale! earns a solid 7 for its clever premise, strong lead performances (especially Lhermitte's comedic range), and its undeniable charm as a well-crafted French comedy. It's historically significant as the basis for True Lies, offering a fascinating comparison point. While the action is modest compared to its remake and some elements feel distinctly early 90s, the core comedic engine runs smoothly, delivering consistent laughs and a satisfying story. It lacks the iconic blockbuster polish but makes up for it with wit and Gallic flair.
Final Takeaway: Before Arnie strapped into a Harrier, Lhermitte was juggling baguettes and bullets. La Totale! is a delightful reminder that brilliant concepts can shine brightly even without the Hollywood gloss – a must-find for comedy fans and True Lies completists digging through the virtual video store shelves.