Introduction
Goldman Case is a French legal drama film that semi-biographical movie that was released in 2023 by Cedric Kahn. It focuses on the spectacular trial of Pierre Goldman a far-left militant charged with a string of armed robberies and two women pharmacists’ murder in 1969. The story is set in France in the 1970s, which was a period of many political and social changes and the six main themes of the film are justice, human identity and legal aspects. As the movie is full of powerful drama and the passion of great actors, The Goldman Case could awaken people’s interest in one of the significant moments in French history.
Release Date
The Goldman Case had its world debut at the Directors’ Fortnight at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on the May, 17 2023. The movie was then launched in France On the 27th of September 2023. This makes the film famous for timely politicization and for its departicularization of contemporary matters.
Crew:
| Role | Person(s) |
|---|---|
| Director | Cédric Kahn |
| Screenplay | Cédric Kahn, Nathalie Hertzberg |
| Writer | Cédric Kahn, Nathalie Hertzberg |
| Producer | Benjamin Elalouf |
| Editor | Yann Dedet |
Cast:
| Actor/Actress | Character Name |
|---|---|
| Arieh Worthalter | Pierre Goldman |
| Arthur Harari | Georges Kiejman |
| Nicolas Briançon | Maître Garaud |
| Jeremy Lewin | Maître Chouraqui |
| Jerzy Radziwiłowicz | Alter Goldman |
| Chloé Lecerf | Christiane Succa |
| Laetitia Masson | The Psychiatrist |
| Stéphan Guérin-Tillié | Le Président du tribunal |
| Christian Mazucchini | Maître Bartoli |
| Ambroise Sabbagh | M. Carel |
| Aurélien Chaussade | L’avocat général |
| François Favrat | Commissaire Leclerc |
| Paul Jeanson | Agent Quinet |
| Priscilla Lopes | Mme Carrel |
| Maxime Tshibangu | Joël Lautric |
| Xavier Aubert | Docteur Pluvinage |
| Arthur Verret | Monsieur Aubert |
| Maxime Canat | Policier tapissage |
| Corentin Cornet | Le fils de la victime |
| Didier Borga | Commissaire Jobard |
| Prescillia Martin | Mademoiselle Lecoq |
| Romain Parent | Inspector Goussard |
| Ulysse Dutilloy | Jean-Jacques Goldman |
Story
This is the story of Pierre Goldman (Arieh Worthalter) an anarchist of the left wing who is accused of the assassination of two pharmacists during a robbery. It is set in his second trial in November 1975 although, he was convicted in the first trial and though the story revolves around his trial, he is an innocent man.
In this rather confusing case in defence of himself, Goldman has the company of Georges Kiejman in the person of Arthur Harari, a young lawyer with less patience for his stubborn focus on Goldman’s character, action, and trial. The movie illustrates Goldman’s extremism and the law enforcement efforts to get through thrasher.
Throughout the movie, the political and idealistic background and the social curse of antisemitism highlighted the main themes that characterized France in the period of civil unrest and turmoil. As it can be seen to some extent, with the advancement of the trial of Goldman it transforms into the play area for the ideological fight where the line between guilt and innocence disappears.
Review
This specific case has received positive reviews from the audience, and the critics stress one more time that it is relevant and shows how specific industry functions today in one of the most successful global companies.
Plus Points
- Strong Performances: An account for the representation of Pierre Goldman as Charles: Arieh Worthalter did a remarkable job of portraying the conflict. Two more characters are unique: Arthur Harari a shifty but highly qualified lawyer of Goldman, and Georges Kiejman.
- Engaging Narrative: This brought what was considered political tension and a fight for justice issues within the society within reach of today’s society. It brings questions to the genesis of the moral and ethical practices within the legal realms.
- Cinematic Craftsmanship: The attempt at creating the atmosphere of the oppressive courtroom as well as a portrayal of the genre’s context behind the camera is made by Patrick Ghiringhelli. Yann Dedet’s editing is good so that one can sustain a good rhythm in narration so that the audience’s interest cannot wane.
- Historical Relevance: In The Goldman Case Marie Darrieussecq opens up a historical event in France and adds new aspects to it, the analysis of this moment can lead to the political situation of the period while addressing current topics like racism and activism.
Minus Points
- Pacing Issues: There is also some criticism for the relative inconsistency of rhythm pacing; it was said, for example, that some scenes, particularly those related to the trial, might look too protracted, or even redundant. That might influence consumers’ opportunities to engage with some segments.
- Limited Character Development for Supporting Cast: Despite Goldman and Kiejman being noticeable and realistic characters, some characters in the play seem underdeveloped and thus a little more history on them would have provided better richness to their contribution to the play.
- Complex Themes: This might bewilder the audience that may not have understood the political position of ideologies painted by the film in the political framework of France in the Second World War era.
Technical Aspects
The Goldman Case has a runtime of 115 minutes and is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The use of visuals helps to show not only the relationships between characters inside the court as well as outside it.
Yann Dedet’s editing is the factor that I think is pretty useful in keeping the pace of the events and shifting back between different timelines and perspectives. The music is integrated into the film and goes about building more dimension on a fast emotional sequence without overpowering dialogue or scenes of elaborate actions.
Performance
Arieh Worthalter gives an outstanding portrayal of Pierre Goldman integrating features of nervous breakdown with fanaticism. His acting helps to reveal many shades of Goldman, which could be both liked and evoke certain disapproval.
Arthur Harari is also fine as the man in the middle since he plays Kiejman, an agent who carries out his job, but at the same time speaks the part that is his own. The chemistry of the characters builds tension and a degree of dramatic conflict during the stakes’ development in the courtroom scenarios and helps to enhance the feeling of the plot.
The other characters are played by: Stéphane Guérin-Tillié as the President of the Court, and Nicolas Briançon as Maître Garaud. That is why, being crucial in terms of the plot, some of the characters were not described in detail to have an interesting and diverse use of characters.
MoviePopTime Review:
Exciting. I was eagerly waiting for it and I can say without a doubt, that I wasn’t let down. Very well played. The plea of the attorney general is on the mark, unlike the civic party which lacks conviction (I’m not referring to the actor here). Pierre Goldman is also extraordinary and very wise. I loved it.
Conclusion
Consequently, The Goldman Case can be an interesting story of legal hermeneutics, and thus provide a clean history and the present. Though, it may experience some problems connected with the rhythm of the game’s flow and character evolution, the film boasts rather strong sound acting and a stirring plot that raises the question of justice and ethics.
A lot of viewers can find some meaning and depth in the movie which themes can be rather thought-provoking thanks to Cédric Kahn’s directing as well as presenting an interesting character arc for ‘George’ the protagonist of the movie. According to the political motifs and appealing to contention, the social justice aspect, The Goldman Case is suitable for viewing for the audience interested in legal dramas and spectators willing and able to contemplate the phenomenon in the light of historical analysis of events and concepts.
In any case, Norman W. Greene’s Novel, The Goldman Case, could be considered though to be of especially high value for the continuity of the French cinema crime films. It shall be a success depending on the extent to which it addresses the audience in search of stories depicting their trials in a society in which an individual is faced with moral dilemmas within society. The Goldman Case is an electrifying powerful work that gets people reflecting on the show and their views of justice when it is over.
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