Toto le Héros (1991)
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Duration: 91 minuten
Alternative title: Toto the Hero
Country:
Belgium / France / Germany
Directed by: Jaco Van Dormael
Stars: Thomas Godet, Jo De Backer and Michel Bouquet
IMDb score:
7,4 (6.680)
Releasedate: 17 May 1991
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Toto le Héros plot
Thomas and Alfred were born about the same time. A fire in the maternity center has mixed up all the babies. Alfred has wealthy parents and Thomas is increasingly convinced that they were mixed up in the past. He blames Alfred for everything; his unhappiness, his sister's death and his inability to form a relationship with Evelyn. Towards the end of his life, he formulates a revenge plan against Alfred; the man who stole his existence and life.
Actors and actresses
Old Thomas
Child Thomas
Old Evelyne
Adult Thomas
Adult Evelyne
Alice
Old Alfred
Adult Alfred
Child Alfred
Adult Cèlestin
Reviews & comments
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
Very nice enjoyable movie. My wife didn't like it, but rarely watches movies. I can imagine that she thought it was a bit chaotic and jumping from scratch. Because Toto le héros sheds light on Thomas's life in three phases: Thomas as a child, an adult and an elderly person. The editing regularly changes between these phases and therefore keeps it interesting.
The common thread is Thomas' aversion to his neighbor Alfred. He believes he was switched with Alfred as a baby, leaving him feeling aggrieved and bitter. He wants revenge and can no longer enjoy life. Toto le héros is a visually very strong film in which small elements make the film richer. The story is good and the music fits well. everything is nicely linked together just like the film noir that Thomas beholds starring Humphrey Bogart.
Cheerful and humorous, but also a bit dark and tragic at the same time. Especially the song "Boom" will forever be linked to this film. That's a great catchy song!
Translated from Dutch · View original
Alathir
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- 2133 messages
- 1638 votes
Toto Le Héros was shown at Cinema Canvas last week. I was sometimes curious about the debut of Jaco Van Dormael of which I have never seen any other film. Based on this film, he is called the Belgian Jeunet. In terms of color use, it is (fortunately!) not a Jeunet. Voice-overs are put to good use for once and the fact that the story is told semi-linearly gives this film an extra quality.
I also liked the beginning very well and after that it sinks a bit but it remains an interesting film. As Filmkriebel writes above: it seems like a film adaptation of the common saying that the grass always seems greener on the other side. But is that really the case? In fact, Van Dormael tries to provide a kind of answer to this with his film.
I also had to laugh a few times, this Toto le Héros is in fact a comic tragedy. It is sometimes worded so childishly or silly that it becomes funny. I am now also curious about the other films by Van Dormael, but everything calmly in its time.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Lovelyboy
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- 3954 messages
- 2956 votes
Visually the film starts very nicely, and although I'm not really into children's or children's films, this immediately grabs you, especially because of the special story. There is a lot of switching and especially the old bitter man with the evil plans I find very interesting. I lose it in the middle section, the somewhat vague situation that he lives alone with his sister and the rather troubled and strange adult that he is between youth and old. This is where I really wonder where the film is actually going.
The expected denouement when old Thomas and Alfred meet is actually almost predictable, but it is the missing link that gives the film some content and a philosophical message again. The grass at the neighbors is rarely as green as it seems and every house has its cross of course. Thomas did live and had opportunities, but was so obsessed with someone else, and clearly had no eye for the reality and downside that things usually have. After this conclusion he seems to be able to die happily, the reality turns out to be less bitter and bad than he thought.
Toto le Heros has a nice style, the music with the Boom song is very nice and the actors are doing quite well. Still, for me, the middle part is just too boring and rudderless to keep me interested throughout the film. It's a good movie for once, but that's about it.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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