Par Francois Aubel
Published on 03/09/2024 at 15:17, Updated yesterday at 13:49
When he doesn’t have the Zorro mask, Jean Dujardin does Jean Dujardin and plays, like no one else, with the eyebrow. Paramount +
CRITIQUE – The Oscar-winning star plays the masked avenger in this parody series, which he also produces. An “OSS” with a thin moustache and very big clogs, broadcast from Friday, September 6.
What if the character imagined by the American novelist Johnston McCulley in 1919 was in reality a loser, a son crushed by his father and, worse still, a poor lover? This is the premise of this series available on Paramount+ (and broadcast before the end of the year on France 2) where Jean Dujardin dons the costume of Don Diego de la Vega. Well, with difficulty, because the masked vigilante had hung up his panoply of righter of wrongs twenty years ago. And, guess what, he has put on a bit of weight with age.
This is how we enter this parody by Noé Debré (to whom we owe the excellent series Parliament) and Benjamin Charbit (Our Lady). A guarantee of quality? We hoped so, but alas, like the belly of this Zorro, the series suffers from plumpness, fed by contradictory desires, at least poorly fitted together. That of deconstructing the masculinity of the hero – it seems that it is fashionable -, but also of transforming these eight episodes into a vaudeville, an interminable love triangle for two, since Gabriella de la Vega consoles herself for the impotence of Don Diego, her husband, in the arms of Zorro. And beyond the painful adventures of this true-false trouple, the series tries to pay homage to that of Walt Disney of 1957 as well as to the spaghetti western. He who embraces too much, embraces badly…
Especially since, like smoke signals at the tip of a canyon, jokes can be seen from miles away. It almost makes one feel embarrassed for Jean Dujardin. For the producer that he is of this series. But especially for the actor, reduced to playing with his eyebrows to find, or rather to try to find, a little of the verve of the first two OSS 117s.
The irony evaporates under the Andalusian sun where the filming took place. Even his charm, born of the improbable marriage between Errol Flyn and Gotlib’s Superdupont, no longer works. One wonders if he wasn’t better, with his cap askew, at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. Because the parody quickly becomes, too quickly, caricature. Nothing is sharp, neither his sword, nor the dialogues, nor the staging of this series, which never – this is quite problematic for a comedy – finds the right rhythm. Zorro pointed!
Jean Dujardin is nevertheless well surrounded. Éric Elmosnino Appears as a cynical Don Emmanuel. Audrey Dana in the skirts of Gabriella de la Vega, Zorro’s wife, spares no effort in the role of the unfaithful woman just as André Dussollier who loudly plays the megalomaniac and castrating father of the masked avenger. But their characters are seriously lacking in nuance. And, even more annoying, they seem, like us, to be bored to death, helpless in the face of the lightness of the scenario. From this shipwreck, at 22 million euros all the same, we will save Gregory Gadebois,silly as he should be in Sergeant Garcia’s uniform, but poetic, like a tender clown lost in this pathetic pampas.
It will be retorted that this is pure entertainment. A noble enterprise indeed that one rarely spoils by adding even a little humor and intelligence.
Jean Dujardin Sheds Light on Zorro’s Masked Vigilante in Parody Series on Paramount+
Published: March 9, 2024, Updated: Yesterday at 13:49
In a peculiar take on the iconic masked avenger, Jean Dujardin, the Oscar-winning star, dons the costume of Don Diego de la Vega in a parody series on Paramount+. This new rendition, which Dujardin also produces, presents a Zorro unlike any other – a has-been vigilante struggling with his own identity and masculinity.
Deconstructing the Masculinity of the Hero
The series, created by Noé Debré and Benjamin Charbit, aims to subvert the traditional notion of the masked hero. Imagine Zorro as a loser, crushed by his father’s expectations and inept in love. This alternate take on the American novelist Johnston McCulley’s 1919 creation sets the stage for a humorous exploration of what happens when a hero’s spark fizzles out.
A Parody Series with a Thin Moustache and Big Clogs
Available on Paramount+ and set to broadcast on France 2 later this year, the series follows Don Diego de la Vega, who hung up his cape 20 years ago and has since gained weight. This parody delves into the life of a man struggling to come to terms with his lost glory and failing relationships. Gabriella de la Vega, his wife, finds solace in the arms of Zorro, further complicating the love triangle.
A Vaudeville with Contradictory Desires
While the series attempts to poke fun at traditional masculinity and pay homage to the 1957 Walt Disney adaptation, as well as spaghetti westerns, it ultimately falls short due to its contrasting ambitions. The show’s creators seem to be embracing too much, resulting in a disjointed narrative that fails to deliver a cohesive viewing experience.
Jean Dujardin’s Signature Eyebrow Play
Despite the series’ shortcomings, Jean Dujardin’s performance is still worth watching. His signature eyebrow play and comedic timing bring some much-needed levity to the show. As the lead actor and producer, Dujardin’s involvement is a testament to the project’s potential, even if the final product doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
Conclusion
This parody series on Paramount+ offers an intriguing premise, but ultimately, its ambitious scope hinders its execution. While fans of Jean Dujardin and the Zorro franchise may find some enjoyment in the show’s lighthearted moments, others may find themselves disappointed by the series’ inability to balance its contrasting themes and tone.
Optimized Keywords: Jean Dujardin, Zorro, Paramount+, Parody Series, Johnston McCulley, Noé Debré, Benjamin Charbit, Walt Disney, Spaghetti Westerns, Masculinity, Hero, Comedy, Vaudeville.
