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Gérard, cinq années dans les pattes de Depardieu
Mathieu Sapin rencontre Gérard Depardieu en 2012. Il l'accompagne en Azerbaïdjan à l'occasion du tournage, pour Arte, d'un documentaire sur les traces d'Alexandre Dumas. Une relation unique se noue entre les deux artistes. Dès lors, Gérard Depardieu va inviter Mathieu Sapin à partager son univers, ses pensées (philosophiques ou triviales), ses coups de gueule, que ce soit lors de tournages, au Portugal ou aux quatre coins de l'Europe, d'un voyage exceptionnel en Russie ou, tout simplement, d'un repas dans la cuisine de son hôtel particulier parisien.
150 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 8, 2020
Very funny and borderline insane memoir of cartoonist Mathieu Sapin's years following eccentric French actor Gérard Depardieu around the world.
When I first saw the front cover and read the title, I thought this was going to be some kind of satire, an imaginary memoir, but nope! It truly is Sapin's story following the actor Depardieu wherever the actor Depardieu is wont to go.
I'm not French, so for me Depardieu is not as prominent a cultural figure as he probably is in France, but this book has convinced me Gérard Depardieu is the sun, and we, the rest of humanity, are but tiny satellites orbiting him.
That is to say, Depardieu seems a complete egomaniac, who is equal parts funny and infuriating.
We hear stories of Depardieu's incredible youth. We see him cosying up to Russians. We hear him talking in elated terms about Putin. We get an inkling of an idea how many political doors seem to fly open for the actor.
It's all beyond nuts, and I'm very happy Sapin was there to make note of every acrid drop of madness.
(Received a review copy through Netgalley)
January 9, 2021
Is there an American equivalent for Gerard Depardieu? For sure there are men who equal him in terms of his big mouth, or body size, or ego, or unpredictability, or charisma, or his fame, but all of that rolled into one? Doubtful. And even then this person would need to be imbued with a certain Gerard-Depardieuness that you can’t even begin to qualify.
And the thing is, I don’t know if Americans really know what an equivalent for Depardieu would be since so few of really understand the deal with him. I mean, we know he’s an actor, we’ve seen a few of his films maybe, though I’m guessing the younger the American, the less likely that American has seen any of Depardieu’s films. Seeing his films probably wouldn’t help anyhow since Depardieu’s status is that of a cultural icon on the level of Serge Gainsbourg, who also fails to translate for most Americans.
So if you’re looking for some explanation of Depardieu’s magnetic hold on French culture and the influence he wields because of it, Mathieu Sapin’s Gerard: Five Years with Depardieu is not going to reveal much for you. However if you’re looking for a depiction of the chaotic, out-of-control, one-man-circus that is Depardieu’s existence, and how that magnetic hold unfolds when people, and not just French people, meet him, Sapin piles it on until the point that you’re as exhausted as Sapin is.
The experience reminded me a lot of reading Shawn Levy’s excellent Jerry Lewis biography — the depiction of the subject is so vivid that you begin to feel like the subject is your roommate, and at a certain point, that means you want some space. This, if you are interested in the subject, is not a bad thing.
Sapin is a French cartoonist who gained access to Depardieu in 2012 when he was tapped for a television special accompanying the legendary actor on a trip to Azerbaijan. Sapin starts the memoir with a depiction of an encounter early in their relationship as he enters Depardieu’s house, to find him sitting around in his underwear amidst his valuable art collection talking excitedly on the phone about rotisserie chicken and Vladimir Putin, which he hangs up so he can go wash his “ass crack” and prepare for the press.
In some ways, that sums up the book, and yet it doesn’t do it justice. From the moment Sapin begins following Depardieu, he is the audience to a non-stop monologue that darts back and forth, turns itself inside and out, grabs topics from seemingly no prompts and then returns to something from several twists-and-turns before that seemed like it had been retired from the stream of consciousness ramble.
Depardieu might decide to talk about his own life — maybe his childhood, maybe his stardom — but then shifts into a philosophical skewering of the way he lives it, goes on a rampage about the tax situation in France, stumbles into some saucy story about an actress he’s worked with, transition to a meditation on death, wax poetic about some strange dish he was served somewhere, offer his analysis of art, toss out a few revelations about his personal interaction with Putin, and throws in a few comments about people around him.
As he does this, he’s barrelling through whatever space he inhabits, drinking all the alcohol in sight and shoving copious amounts of food down his considerable gullet, while women of all ages, in all countries, beg for his autograph, a photo, anything.
There is too much Depardieu, that becomes obvious, and it can’t be contained in this one body, which has transformed into a hulking force of nature that reflects what lurks inside and despite the girth and age exhibits an unending energy to partake of every notion that crosses his mind. He is a force of nature — a force of French nature, one that doesn’t stop, but goes on and on and on, saying whatever comes to his mind, devouring what is in front of him, and going wherever he is led.
Sapin’s story unfolds without any promise of structure, nor any possible way of providing it — actually, structure would be at odds with the subject of the book. In order to get context and background across, panels are littered with little side notes that explain all the background that might be lost in the kinetic insanity of what Depardieu is saying or doing and why he is saying and doing it.
It all ends up being a fascinating look inside the kind of fame that goes beyond what we typically see, the kind of fame that can only be equated with a figure like, say, Frank Sinatra, in that it combines the uniqueness of the personality, the strength of the personality, but also the fact that the personality is a remnant of a bygone age. But while the remnant might not command the spotlight of popular culture in the same way as it did 40 years ago, he behaves as if he does and the world lets him.
The revelation is that despite the behaviour, despite the excess, despite everything that precedes him, Depardieu actually seems, well … alright. An alright guy. Aspects of him might not fit into our current world comfortably, but he’s hardly a monster or even really a creep. He just seems like a guy to whom France handed everything possible and he accepted the gift and now he just goes with it. In the weirdest way possible, Depardieu comes off as being down to earth despite everything. Just himself. And that’s pretty much the best compliment of Sapin’s work I can think of.
And the thing is, I don’t know if Americans really know what an equivalent for Depardieu would be since so few of really understand the deal with him. I mean, we know he’s an actor, we’ve seen a few of his films maybe, though I’m guessing the younger the American, the less likely that American has seen any of Depardieu’s films. Seeing his films probably wouldn’t help anyhow since Depardieu’s status is that of a cultural icon on the level of Serge Gainsbourg, who also fails to translate for most Americans.
So if you’re looking for some explanation of Depardieu’s magnetic hold on French culture and the influence he wields because of it, Mathieu Sapin’s Gerard: Five Years with Depardieu is not going to reveal much for you. However if you’re looking for a depiction of the chaotic, out-of-control, one-man-circus that is Depardieu’s existence, and how that magnetic hold unfolds when people, and not just French people, meet him, Sapin piles it on until the point that you’re as exhausted as Sapin is.
The experience reminded me a lot of reading Shawn Levy’s excellent Jerry Lewis biography — the depiction of the subject is so vivid that you begin to feel like the subject is your roommate, and at a certain point, that means you want some space. This, if you are interested in the subject, is not a bad thing.
Sapin is a French cartoonist who gained access to Depardieu in 2012 when he was tapped for a television special accompanying the legendary actor on a trip to Azerbaijan. Sapin starts the memoir with a depiction of an encounter early in their relationship as he enters Depardieu’s house, to find him sitting around in his underwear amidst his valuable art collection talking excitedly on the phone about rotisserie chicken and Vladimir Putin, which he hangs up so he can go wash his “ass crack” and prepare for the press.
In some ways, that sums up the book, and yet it doesn’t do it justice. From the moment Sapin begins following Depardieu, he is the audience to a non-stop monologue that darts back and forth, turns itself inside and out, grabs topics from seemingly no prompts and then returns to something from several twists-and-turns before that seemed like it had been retired from the stream of consciousness ramble.
Depardieu might decide to talk about his own life — maybe his childhood, maybe his stardom — but then shifts into a philosophical skewering of the way he lives it, goes on a rampage about the tax situation in France, stumbles into some saucy story about an actress he’s worked with, transition to a meditation on death, wax poetic about some strange dish he was served somewhere, offer his analysis of art, toss out a few revelations about his personal interaction with Putin, and throws in a few comments about people around him.
As he does this, he’s barrelling through whatever space he inhabits, drinking all the alcohol in sight and shoving copious amounts of food down his considerable gullet, while women of all ages, in all countries, beg for his autograph, a photo, anything.
There is too much Depardieu, that becomes obvious, and it can’t be contained in this one body, which has transformed into a hulking force of nature that reflects what lurks inside and despite the girth and age exhibits an unending energy to partake of every notion that crosses his mind. He is a force of nature — a force of French nature, one that doesn’t stop, but goes on and on and on, saying whatever comes to his mind, devouring what is in front of him, and going wherever he is led.
Sapin’s story unfolds without any promise of structure, nor any possible way of providing it — actually, structure would be at odds with the subject of the book. In order to get context and background across, panels are littered with little side notes that explain all the background that might be lost in the kinetic insanity of what Depardieu is saying or doing and why he is saying and doing it.
It all ends up being a fascinating look inside the kind of fame that goes beyond what we typically see, the kind of fame that can only be equated with a figure like, say, Frank Sinatra, in that it combines the uniqueness of the personality, the strength of the personality, but also the fact that the personality is a remnant of a bygone age. But while the remnant might not command the spotlight of popular culture in the same way as it did 40 years ago, he behaves as if he does and the world lets him.
The revelation is that despite the behaviour, despite the excess, despite everything that precedes him, Depardieu actually seems, well … alright. An alright guy. Aspects of him might not fit into our current world comfortably, but he’s hardly a monster or even really a creep. He just seems like a guy to whom France handed everything possible and he accepted the gift and now he just goes with it. In the weirdest way possible, Depardieu comes off as being down to earth despite everything. Just himself. And that’s pretty much the best compliment of Sapin’s work I can think of.
December 5, 2022
Décembre 2022. Un personnage plus grand que nature ce Depardieu. C’est très touffue à lire. Un peu plat par moment. Souvent en fait!
Ce n’est pas inintéressant, mais pas vraiment mon style.
Ce n’est pas inintéressant, mais pas vraiment mon style.
December 19, 2020
J'ai passé un très bon moment à lire cette BD. J'en suis sortie avec encore plus de tendresse pour notre Gégé national.
January 5, 2018
Une entrée en intimité au plus proche de Gérard Depardieu, on le découvre tel que je l'imaginais : gargantuesque, sensible, poète et ayant une immense culture.
Mathieu Sapin raconte ses séjours auprès du géant du cinéma avec humour et finesse.
Néanmoins on reste un peu sur sa fin, j'aurais aimé rentrer plus en intimité avec le personnage, mais ces pages se lisent avec une grande douceur, on ne voit pas la dernière arriver.
Bonne découverte pour tous ceux qui veulent découvrir Gérard Depardieu en dehors de ses rôles.
Mathieu Sapin raconte ses séjours auprès du géant du cinéma avec humour et finesse.
Néanmoins on reste un peu sur sa fin, j'aurais aimé rentrer plus en intimité avec le personnage, mais ces pages se lisent avec une grande douceur, on ne voit pas la dernière arriver.
Bonne découverte pour tous ceux qui veulent découvrir Gérard Depardieu en dehors de ses rôles.
August 5, 2017
Eh ben! C'est un homme fascinant que je viens de découvrir. Vive les bédés-biographies!
April 7, 2020
To be honest, I approached this graphic work a little skeptically, not knowing exactly what to expect. I am happy to say It did not disappoint. Gerard Depardieu’s personality comes out quite clearly in this telling. He is at once larger than life and human. Sapin has brought out his quirks with a sensitive touch making the great man of french cinema and his life ever more interesting.
March 3, 2019
3,75... J'ai beaucoup aimé le portrait. Quel bestiole étrange, ce Depardieu!
September 8, 2018
Depardieu, un monstre sacré, un sacré bonhomme. Boulimique, bébé gâté, philosophique, coléreux, léger, amusé, amusant, chiant, diva... Le portrait que dresse Sapin est absolument captivant, plein de tendresse pour le bonhomme et juste ce qu'il faut de dérision pour ne pas tomber dans le lichage.
Ça m'a donné le goût de revoir les films de GD.
Ça m'a donné le goût de revoir les films de GD.
May 18, 2020
A full-length and them some graphic novel, concerning one journalist and cartoonist's appreciation of and time spend with the cumbersome, lumbersome lovable rogue turned bete noire that is Gerard "I like Putin, me" Depardieu. I could have done without some aspects of the design, namely the arrowed captions that make every page overly busy (and me overly squinty – some came in a really small, handwritten font), but I think that does convey the always-moving-to-the-next-topic-of-conversation/meal/woman attitude of the subject. And conveying the subject – obviously the most important thing here – is found a little lacking, too. You could argue our creator got too close yet not close enough; for he was close enough to pack his pages with the merely incidental, and not close enough to get the key incident (regarding the man's true politics, etc). I think an extended conversation over a film-set lunch gets as close to Depardieu as anything, but I think the author could have got closer to a better editor as well.
July 11, 2020
Loved it! Gerard Depardieu — who didn’t love him, back in the day?I know I did, but I am going to have to review some of the movies to find out which ones I liked. He was a larger than life character, for sure, although his skill as an actor, which is mentioned over and over in this book is almost hard to believe after meeting him here. Still, he’s a fascinating guy and after reading this, I want to know more. More about what he was really thinking, what drives his behaviour, and his feelings. Does he really hate himself? How can he, when so many others lives revolve around his? On the other hand, there were other parts of the book that were very believable.
Loved the book, and the art style, and the honesty of it all. Mathieu Sapin wrote a good, well-laid out tale, with great style and charm. I liked the little side notes throughout. I am looking forward to reading it again after seeing a movie or two. Thanks for the review copy. I wasn’t sure where this graphic book was going when i started it, but I was not disappointed.
Loved the book, and the art style, and the honesty of it all. Mathieu Sapin wrote a good, well-laid out tale, with great style and charm. I liked the little side notes throughout. I am looking forward to reading it again after seeing a movie or two. Thanks for the review copy. I wasn’t sure where this graphic book was going when i started it, but I was not disappointed.
January 16, 2021
J’ai beaucoup aimé Gérard, BD de Mathieu Sapin, auteur pourtant confirmé mais que je lis ici pour la première fois.
Soyons franc, le style graphique ne plaira sûrement pas à tous le monde, le dessin n’est peut être pas la plus grande force de Sapin, mais je trouve qu’il sied à merveille son sujet: Gérard Depardieu, légende vivante du cinéma français et peut être son plus grand ambassadeur à l’étranger.
Car la force de Sapin est là, dans son sujet, sur lequel on apprendra beaucoup et qui n’hésites à se faire dessiner dans les meilleures moments comme dans les pires.
On est là en présence d’une BD à l’image de son sujet, bon vivant, qui n’hésites pas à nous resservir de détails sur des personnages, des œuvres d’art ou le contexte, détails que personnellement j’ai beaucoup apprécié.
Il est sur que si vous aimez déjà Depardieu, je ne peux que recommander la lecture de cette œuvre, dans le contraire, ses défauts présent dans la BD (dont il est lui même tres au courant) ne feront que vous exaspérer encore plus. À vous de voir.
Soyons franc, le style graphique ne plaira sûrement pas à tous le monde, le dessin n’est peut être pas la plus grande force de Sapin, mais je trouve qu’il sied à merveille son sujet: Gérard Depardieu, légende vivante du cinéma français et peut être son plus grand ambassadeur à l’étranger.
Car la force de Sapin est là, dans son sujet, sur lequel on apprendra beaucoup et qui n’hésites à se faire dessiner dans les meilleures moments comme dans les pires.
On est là en présence d’une BD à l’image de son sujet, bon vivant, qui n’hésites pas à nous resservir de détails sur des personnages, des œuvres d’art ou le contexte, détails que personnellement j’ai beaucoup apprécié.
Il est sur que si vous aimez déjà Depardieu, je ne peux que recommander la lecture de cette œuvre, dans le contraire, ses défauts présent dans la BD (dont il est lui même tres au courant) ne feront que vous exaspérer encore plus. À vous de voir.
March 27, 2020
3.5 stars.
Kind of like a road comedy with a bit of "My Dinner with Andre" mixed in. It's quite insightful and charming, really. Seeing a guy such as Gerard, with his unique take on life and his celebrity status, navigating through politics and just doing his thing certainly has a novelty to it--this work displays how free he lives his life day-to-day, and people are always going to find those types of personalities interesting.
Not much else to say about this, really. It is what it says it is. If you're circling this and considering it after reading the description, then just go for it. It's as described, and you'll see him (and his film roles) in a new light.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the advance read.
Kind of like a road comedy with a bit of "My Dinner with Andre" mixed in. It's quite insightful and charming, really. Seeing a guy such as Gerard, with his unique take on life and his celebrity status, navigating through politics and just doing his thing certainly has a novelty to it--this work displays how free he lives his life day-to-day, and people are always going to find those types of personalities interesting.
Not much else to say about this, really. It is what it says it is. If you're circling this and considering it after reading the description, then just go for it. It's as described, and you'll see him (and his film roles) in a new light.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the advance read.
April 14, 2020
It is difficult to express how much I enjoyed this book! I watched Gerard Depardieu in the movie Greencard with Andie McDowell. I used to watch it over and over because the gregariousness of Gerard's character was a bit unbelievable. This book had the same impact for me. Gerard Depardieu is fascinating and inspiring with how he lives his life and doesn't concern himself with the opinions of others. I also appreciated the less positive views of his personality and how it impacts those around him. However, since he is true to himself, no one really seems to harbor ill will toward him. The honesty of his anxiousness and fears was grounding, he is just a human like the rest of us. We all just need to live life as fully as possible.
December 13, 2021
Deuxième BD de Mathieu Sapin lue récemment (la première, plus dense, était Le Château. Un an dans les coulisses de l'Elysée) et changement assez radical de ton, vu que celle-ci est moins politique et documentaire (quoi que ?).
C'est léger et étonnant, Depardieu est un drôle de bonhomme, et l'aventure de la BD est divertissante. Sapin brosse un portrait aux mille facettes de l'acteur et c'est pas mal.
À découvrir, qu'on s'intéresse à Depardieu ou non - mais impossible de ne pas lire la BD sans entendre la voix de l'acteur dans sa tête !
C'est léger et étonnant, Depardieu est un drôle de bonhomme, et l'aventure de la BD est divertissante. Sapin brosse un portrait aux mille facettes de l'acteur et c'est pas mal.
À découvrir, qu'on s'intéresse à Depardieu ou non - mais impossible de ne pas lire la BD sans entendre la voix de l'acteur dans sa tête !
April 21, 2019
Cette BD m'a invité à flirter avec dépardieu, à rentrer dans une intimité assez poussé, elle me projette des images et des réalités qui m'auraient paru impossible autrefois mais qui aujourd'hui viennent de me faire comprendre qu'être connu peut ouvrir des portes incroyables. Dans le fond je savais que Dépardieu était un gars curieux et qui virevoltait dans tout les sens mais je me suis senti dépassé par ce personnage qui semble perdu au vent et qui attire toutes les émotions des plus grands dirigeants du monde. A lire même si vous n'aimez pas dépardieu, cela vous fera méditer.
April 13, 2021
The life of Gerard Depardieu from the eyes of Mathieu Sapin the comic artist, who traveled with the star from 2012 to 2016 on occasion. One interesting read of a biography so honestly put, we learn of Depardieu's background, his habits, his behavior, and how he sees the world around him.
How he sees himself as a human being who loves art, live with arts (he has a house like a museum), and has the ability of assessing people correctly. And sometimes, his character in the movies or play, resembles him so much that he can immerse himself fully into character.
How he sees himself as a human being who loves art, live with arts (he has a house like a museum), and has the ability of assessing people correctly. And sometimes, his character in the movies or play, resembles him so much that he can immerse himself fully into character.
May 28, 2019
Très chouettes histoires, touchantes, drôles, gênantes. C'est une BD longue et agréable. Cependant, le trait de dessin de la BD en elle-même n'est pas à mon goût, ce qui a rendu la lecture moins satisfaisante pour moi (les esquisses du carnet du dessinateur à la fin de la BD sont, par contre, très belles!).
December 27, 2022
Some of my friends really liked this. For me, it was too much like reading a memoir from someone who hung out with Trump for five years. Depardieu is clearly an egomaniac, telling ridiculous stories and constantly making outrageous demands. I can get why other people would like it but for me, it was a chore to read nonstop about this kind of self-absorbed crazy person.
June 25, 2024
C'est bien ça confirme vraiment que Depardieu est complètement à côté de la plaque, et ne respecte personne. En plus on note une agression sexuelle au début de la BD (personne ne s'en inquiète), et une tonne de remarques malaisantes de Depardieu envers les femmes.
Sinon, superbe boulot de Mathieu Sapin dans le récit et l'illustration.
Sinon, superbe boulot de Mathieu Sapin dans le récit et l'illustration.
July 24, 2020
J'ai bien aimé cette BD sur tout un personnage. Qu'on l'aime ou pas Gérard Depardieu ne laisse personne indifférent. En tout cas je lève mon chapeau à Mathieu Sapin l'illustrateur qui l'a suivi partout, moi je ne l'aurais pas fait.
September 19, 2023
Incroyable BD. J'ai pris un réel plaisir à la lire et à admirer les illustrations. La minutie des détails, la palette de couleurs, les expressions faciales, la transmission des émotions et les mimiques des personnages sont tout simplement stupéfiants. Mathieu Sapin parvient à capturer une gamme de sentiments incroyablement diversifiée dans cette bande dessinée, ce qui frôle le génie ! Personnellement, je n'étais pas particulièrement fan de Depardieu, et j'ai toujours gardé une certaine distance par rapport à sa carrière professionnelle. Cependant, cette BD a réussi à me réconcilier avec le personnage et m'a même donné envie de découvrir davantage de films mettant en vedette Depardieu.
May 2, 2025
intéressant à lire pour se faire une idée du personnage. j ai eu l impression d une forme de fascination de l auteur pour le personnage, ce qui sans doute fait dire a sa femme a la fin que "c est un peu leche cul" - cette connivence m a parfois un peu gêné.
December 21, 2017
Note to self: My French isn't quite as good as it should.. Interesting insight to Depardieu's life.
August 4, 2017
I loved the drawings and the conversations.
April 3, 2018
C'est une homme ... "compliqué", on peut dire. J'ai beaucoup apprécié voir l'homme derrière l'acteur. Bravo M. Sapin!
July 7, 2018
Un personnage surprenant, et profondément triste !
March 6, 2019
J'ai franchement ri par passage, on reconnaît le personnage et les situations cocasses dont on a entendu parler x fois. Excellente lecture !
April 2, 2020
I enjoyed reading Gérard Script and art by Mathieu Sapin. It was an enjoyable read and I loved the drawings throughout.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the advance read
Big thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the advance read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews