LE MYSTERE HENRI PICK/ THE MYSTERY OF HENRI PICK

France, 2019, 100 minutes, Colour.

Fabrice Luchini, Camille Cottin, Alice Isaaz, Bastien Bouiillon, Josiane Stoleru, Astrid Whetnall, Marc Fraize, Hannah Schygulla, Vincent Winterhalter.

Directed by Remi Bezancon.

As the title suggests, there is mystery about the alleged writer of a novel, Henri Pick. As with mysteries, there is great interest in the investigations, the clues, the developments. However, as with so many mysteries, there is some disappointment, perhaps a feeling let down, when the truth is revealed.

However, the central character is an author, academic, television celebrity, recommending books to his television audience, but self-important and often irascible. Another very interesting performance from Fabrice Lucchini.

On his program, as an editor and her boyfriend, an author, watch, waiting for a review of the book, the program has to come to an end. The film shows the work of the young author. And the expertise of his girlfriend in publishing. On a tip, she goes to a library, a library of rejected manuscripts, and finds one which interests her, the author being Henri Pick. He is dead, managed a pizza restaurant, survived by his wife at an academic daughter, having given no sign that he ever wrote anything in his life. Readers find that the novel is heavily influenced by Chekhov.

The television host has the wife on his show but treats her badly – and he is sacked. He suspects the book is not written by Pick, decides to start his own investigation, visits the library of rejected manuscripts, has encounters with the widow, with the daughter with whom he eventually connects and they investigate together. We are taken into the world of publishing, of readings, of reviews.

Ultimately, the truth is revealed, who was involved, the random choice of Henri Pick. Perhaps the solution is something of a disappointment, but the estimate but the investigation in this literary world is quite entertaining and intriguing.

1. The title and expectations? The novel and its authorship? An investigation?
2. The French settings, homes and apartments, the television station, the country town, French atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The focus on Jean- Michel Rouche, literary critic, past career, television, his guests, the audience, his comment on books, make or break? Age, relationship with his wife?
4. Daphne and Fred, watching the show, hoping for a comment on his book, the show having to end? Daphne and Fred and the relationship? His writing, her publishing? Her relationship with her father? Fred and his going on to write and of the book?
5. The Library of Rejected Manuscripts, the idea, the vast number of texts, some of the ironic titles, inviting rejection? Daphne, her search, finding the Henri Pick manuscript? Reading it, her attraction, taking it to the publisher? Publication, instant success, reviews, the public, Jean- Michel’s wife? The story of a last love?
6. Jean Michel, the interview with Pick’s wife, daughter present? His scepticism? Denunciation? The guests walking out, an attempt to make an apology, their having left? His losing his job? Losing his wife?
7. His quest to find the author? Going to the town, interviewing the wife again, Henri Pick and pizza, never writing, his daughter finding the letter to the camp? The wife upset again?
8. Jean- Michel, the discussions with Josephine, her giving him a lift, travelling, explaining her father, the plausibility of his writing the book secretly, his wife believing he did?
9. The visit to the library, the support of the librarian? The Russian references? Pushkin? The parallels?
10. The socials for the book, the gatherings, the critics, the guests, the publisher?
11. Daphne and Fred, Daphne defending her publishing of the book?
12. Jean Michel, the pursuit of the investigation, finding clues, working out what happened, discussions with Daphne? The possibilities of a relationship with Josephine?
13. Fred, his first book, his second book, Daphne and Fred devising the manuscript appearing in the library?
14. The solving the mystery – but, always something of a letdown when the solution is offered?