One of the most awaited films, premiere at the French film festival in Cannes, The Conquest directed by Xavier Durringer – Chok-Dee (2005), J’Irai au Paradis car L’Enfer est ici (1997), Heads Above Water (1993) – begins on May 6 2007, the day president Sarkozy (Denis Podalydes) was elected. The movie frames a series of flashbacks covering political ascent and the breakdown of his marriage with his second wife Cécilia (Florence Pernel).

As Sarkozy, Denis Podalydès plays an unstoppable political force, also tempered with competence and calculation. Short in stature but not on ambition. He knows the political game very well; he knows it’s a game, he knows everyone is a player; and he knows that he’s good.

The movie is full of scenes of political plotting and in-chamber conversations. The best scenes are those of Sarkozy against his archrival, the sleek and cunning Dominique De Villepin (Samuel Labarthe). French viewers will also relish the impersonation factor, Bernard Le Coq in particular with his repertoire of high-statesman gestures of Chirac are absolutely irresistible.

The film has a major selling point in the always-excellent Podalydès, who brings to Sarkozy a certain tormented grandeur, even while playing up his temper, narcissism and self-importance.

Those not well versed in French politics, may get lost on some of the references and jokes, but for political junkies and fans of The Queen (Peter Morgan-scripted dramas featuring Michael Sheen as Tony Blair), Primary Colors (directed by Mike Nichols and starring John Travolta as Governor Jack Stanton), and the Italian film Il Divo (directed by Paolo Sorrentino and starring Toni Servilloas President of the Council of Ministers Guilio Andreotti) The Conquest is a welcome addition.

The film’s setting, costume design, dialogs and widescreen lensing are solid. It’s a well-observed and funny account of how, in 2007, Sarkozy landed the presidency.

I would like to close this film review with a quote from director Xavier Durringer “Whether they are French or American, all politicians have three ways of expressing themselves — the intimate dialogue that can often be violent and raw, then the dialogue in front of the camera and then big public speeches. In the film, we see all of these different levels”. – Q & A from the Hollywood Reporter.