amazon-41 I came here to write a clever review of a paradoxical film, but 'doctorrugger' pretty much summed up all you need to know about the film. It is 'two films' ultimately. Director Florent-Emilio Siri (of the wonderful "L'ennemi intime") has the chops to make a vacuous script worthy of a made-for TV biopic engrossing from almost the first frame of the film. A stellar performance by Jérémie Renier doesn't hurt either. You really don't like this guy, and that's the point. I wouldn't necessarily call him a 'no- talent ass-clown, but, he certainly had the heart of one.I recommend watching online video of Claude François BEFORE watching the film. Jérémie Renier's performance makes the real Cloclo seem absolutely wooden.

doctorrugger There are two films in CloClo; the first is a very disappointing biopic, flat and monotonous tale about a music freak, which never hesitates to state the obvious, and follows without an hint of originality the pattern of CloClo's life. Its scenario lacks of imagination and pictures a tyrannic Claude François, so full of himself, so ready to do anything to be famous , and killing metaphorically anyone who's got more success than him: such a detestable character.The second film takes place very gradually in your mind while you're still angry at what you're watching; but, as you feel deep inside that this biopic is nothing but a major failure, you cannot avoid admiring Jérémie Rénier's flawless acting and impersonation , and later you get enthused by Siri's own virtuosity with the camera (the party in the Moulin), and gradually you begin to understand that you enjoy yourself, that you don't want it to stop, never, and that you're anticipating with growing horror the approaching and unavoidable scene of the fatal shower, which leaves you, the audience, and dozens of groupies (some sleeping in his hallway) in tears... And you remember now why you always liked CloClo, why his death in the late seventies represented the end of your own childhood; such an exceptional person...

GUENOT PHILIPPE I was surprised when I first heard of the film, only in project. Florient Emilio Siri - the director of NID DE GUEPES, HOSTAGE and L'ENNEMI INTIME, the greatest french action film maker of all times - who planned to tell the biopic of the famous Claude François, the fabulous french singer of the seventies. I thought it was a joke. What connection between him and the other films of Siri?I'll be honest; if it had not been him to direct this, I would never have gone to watch it. I loved Cloclo when I was a kid, when I heard his songs while going to vacation with my parents in our 404 Peugeot, or when I watched his appearances at Mariti and Gilbert Carpentier Saturday evenings shows on TV. But I know his story and especially his tragic and idiot ending. Period.But I was curious to see how the hell the great french director, so gifted in action masterpieces, could perform with such a tale...And I was astonished to see that Siri was not only an exceptional action film film maker, but an awesome director above all. And even if this one is not an action movie, this is probably is best feature till now. Some viewers may find this not complete concerning the actual character, the lead - who is played by the terrific Jeremie Régnier, a sort of dead ringer of Cloclo, nothing less. I won't disagree with them. But the way to present this man, the directing, the film making, all this grabs you from the beginning to the end. Siri is really a great director, probably the best the french movie industry had since a while now.Don't forget Bruce Willis wanted him to direct DIE HARD 4...I am hurry to watch his next film.

JosephAbraham21 Warning, English is not my birth languageDifferent than La mome or Gainsbourg, Cloclo is a great piece of filmmaking, well crafted , extremely well acted by Jeremie Renier and the bigger than life performance of Benoit Magimel in a small but vital role of Paul Ledermann, the Claude Francois's agent. The different periods and steps in the singer's and business man careers are all interesting. It's not a consensual movie, it's a movie of rage depicting a man of passion , rage and flaws.The director florent emilio siri, well known for Hostage, is at his best. This movie deserves public success.A must see !!