Is 5 Years with Montebourg Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2012)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

5 Years with Montebourg, a standout production of 2012, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Modern Cinema landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into An entire five-year period during which the cameras of Olivier Chevillard and Kevin Bertholet followed Arnaud Montebourg as closely as possible, between May 2007 when his career as a public figure was threatened… and May 2012 when he was appointed minister. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "An entire five-year period during which the cameras of Olivier Chevillard and Kevin Bertholet followed Arnaud Montebourg as closely as possible, between May 2007 when his career as a public figure was threatened… and May 2012 when he was appointed minister. A rare document, written day by day in the privacy of his work and behind the scenes in the world of our elected officials. Like a road movie of reality, this film, harnessed to the daily life of the political animal, offers exclusive political moments, unpublished images with in particular his trip to the United States for the preparation of the primaries, but also meetings with right-wing and left-wing personalities. Jack Lang, François Bayrou, Laurent Wauquiez, Ségolène Royal, François Hollande, Aurélie Filipetti or even Rachida Dati…. An immersion in politics to discover and understand this corrosive, singular character,"

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Arnaud Montebourg does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Kevin Bertholet is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its N/A minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is 5 Years with Montebourg truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, 5 Years with Montebourg explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2012 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Kevin Bertholet respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, 5 Years with Montebourg is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Arnaud Montebourg or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, 5 Years with Montebourg is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.