A poor, unremarkable man mistaken for Xavier Dupont de Ligonnères when he bears no resemblance at all: that was enough to excite the creative vein of Gérard Jugnot and inspire him to make a film titled Mauvaise pioche. This bizarre news story from 2019 was completely absurd and almost comical, except for the victim of the mix-up, who went through a living hell.
In the small village where Serge Martin (Gérard Jugnot) lives alone since his wife left him for her driving instructor, most men are passionate about Napoleonic reenactments led by Mayor Laurent Malbec (Thierry Lhermitte). After one of these reenactments in Genoa, Italy, Martin is arrested by the carabinieri who, acting on an anonymous tip, are convinced that they have caught the infamous Thierry Durand de Soliles who massacred his family before disappearing.
In Paris, the police commissioner and his deputies (Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Philippe Lacheau, Charlotte Gabris) can hardly contain their excitement. The division chief, known for her colorful language (Michèle Laroque), remains more cautious. Of course, the news leaks out and the presenter of a CNews-style channel (Reem Kherici) doesn’t bother with verification. Sensationalism first. Ethics? Not a concern…
