Docteur Petiot is a 1990 French drama film directed by Christian de Chalonge and starring Michel Serrault. It presents the exploits of real-life serial killer Marcel Petiot during the Second World War.
Cast Michel Serrault : doctor Marcel Petiot Pierre Romans : Drezner Zbigniew Horoks : Nathan Guzik Bérangère Bonvoisin : Georgette Petiot Olivier Saladin : the first agent : Forestier Nini Crépon : Collard Maxime Collion : Gérard Petiot Aurore Prieto : Mrs. Guzik André Chaumeau : Célestin Nivelon Axel Bogousslavsky : Louis Rossignol Maryline Even : mother of the sick child Nita Klein : Mrs. Kern Dominique Marcas : Mrs. Valéry Martine Mongermont : Cécile Drezner Julien Verdier : apothecary Lorella Cravotta : Petiot's neighbor Claude Degliame
Reception
Empire praised the performance of the "absolutely hypnotising" Serrault, who "brings virtuoso skills to his recreation of this contradictory madman." While describing the film as "bizarre and intriguing", the review noted that "the screenplay offers no depth or development of character whatsoever, has no themes or ideas buried beneath the facts and is a little repetitive and overlong."
Pointing out the film's numerous nods to German Expressionism, the New York Times review similarly concluded that "Mr. Serrault, best known here for his camp performances in the Cage aux Folles comedies, gives a good, appropriately chilly performance as Petiot, though the screenplay doesn't allow him to go anyplace."
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