'Fiasco' Review: Director Igor Gotesman's mockumentary style treatment makes the Netflix comedy hilarious
PARIS, FRANCE: 'Fiasco' is a French original series from Netflix streaming on the platform from April 30, 2024. The series tells the story of Raphaël Valande (Pierre Niney), a rookie director who has written a script that glorifies his grandmother. But when it comes to the filming of the project, everything that can go wrong goes wrong for him.
Raphaël Valande's passion project about his resistant grandmother seems like it is destined for failure. As a first-time director, he learns that movie direction isn't just about making a film but handling the entire set and showing that you're the boss. From the first day of the shoot, he has to handle his actor's tantrums, stunt accidents, food poisoning, and countless other issues.
The series is shot in a mockumentary format and makes the viewers enter the world of this film and laugh out loud at the situations. Read our detailed review of the film.
Igor Gotesman's writing is rib-tickling in 'Fiasco'
The series is written and directed by Igor Gotesman and it is the most unserious film in a good way. Every shot of the film is crafted to be unintentionally funny.
The characterization is appropriately loud and the situations and consequent reactions are over the top but it is this exaggeration that makes the film get its humor. The film in a way sculpts the mind of a first-time director in the modern world where he must handle egos, maintain his composure, assert his authority, and be careful what to say because someone might be recording it.
Having said that, there are a few moments in the series that go a little overboard when it comes to sexism and could have been avoided. The series would have still been funny without them.
Pierre Niney as the quintessential simpleton is a treat to watch
Pierre Niney carries the series on his back and is a treat to watch in the role of Raphaël Valande. He plays an overtly simple man with a dream of making this film which no one thinks he should be making. Not even the grandmother he is basing the film on.
The other actors essentially just add to his character but the series in a comical way explores the inner world of Raphaël Valande. His suspicions of a mole add an element of mystery to the series.
Vincent Cassel, François Civil, and Marie-Christine Barrault play their parts earnestly and at times underplay them to make Valande look funnier.
The mockumentary-like narrative elevates the series
The narrative of the series is more like a documentary being shot about the events on the film's set. The creative decision by the makers is a brilliant touch to the narrative and keeps the series afloat.
The format adds a much-needed element of thrill and doesn't make the funny scenes monotonous adding a completely different layer to the narrative.
The pacing and editing of the series are crisp and keep the events coming one after the other. Overall, this is a fun watch and offers a lot of entertainment and humor over its 7-episode length.
'Fiasco' trailer
'Fiasco' is streaming on Netflix from April 30, 2024.