User Reviews

The life of Bernard Tapie definitely deserved to be told on screen. Absolutely fascinating and absorbing. This man experienced so many things in his lifetime. Good and bad. Straight out of a Tom Wolf novel. Highly recommanded and full of surprises. Laffite does a great job playing the lead role as does Josèphine Jappy playing his wife. It's better if you watch in french with subtitles so you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Whether or not you are familiar with the real life Bernard Tapie, you will be fascinated by the charisma and audacity of this man. One of my favorite netflix show in 2023.

I like very much the main actor performance ..he was so natural, so charismatic, so Bernard Tapie and his act make the series so real ..in the other hand .. I like the way the biography was presented ..it was like reading a book .. I didn't know Bernard Tapie before watching the series it make me more curious now about him .. I like also the choice from where they begin the story telling and also the End .. I like the fact that they did'nt make him look like hero or a legend but a human being with his mistakes, ambitions, glories and his "sortir de l'ordinaire" character ..he was a legend just by being himself ..

I had some reservations about "Tapie" before i started to binge-watch. But I must say, that it has surprised me so far (3 episodes to go). A nice built up of the story, cinematography is okay, and the acting is good. Based on my own youth as a teenager in the 80s, I had heard of Bernard Tapie. So, I knew about his liasons to sport. Not so much about his involvement in politics - that's why I enjoyed those episodes the most. But, what I was really disappointed about, is that the series only show his succes with Olympique Marseille. But totally left out that other big universal sport he got involved in: as a sponsor / financer of the La Vie Claire cycling team. The iconic Mondriaan colors of red, yellow, blue, black and white squares and world famous cyclists as French own Bernard Hinault and Greg Lemond as the "poster-boys". 1985,1986 Bernard Tapie's La Vie Claire won the Tour de France - the biggest cycling competition in the World. These were iconic years in Sport. And not a single reference of it: why? A big miss!

The scene with Bernard Tapie visiting the State Prosecutor in his office is one of the best scenes I've ever seen.

I was glued to the screen.

Great dialogues, thumbs up to the screen writers. Both using their own strategy & words to intimidate the other. Throwing in some psycholgy of war as well. You could feel the tension in that room. The prosecotur despizing Tapie for what he stands for, not for the human being he is. Very clever. Tapie throwing everything he knows at the prosecutor who keeps his calm.

Truely fascinating to watch. And the mise en scene is amazing, with eye for details, well filmed!

This Netflix series centered around the life of Bernard Tapie proved to be an absolute gem. From the very start, we were unsure about committing to a full binge-watch, but once we started, there was no turning back. The storytelling, character development, and the actor's performances were all top-notch.

What truly sets this series apart is its ability to immerse you in the intriguing world of Bernard Tapie. It delves deep into the complexities of his life, his journey, and the challenges he faced, painting a vivid picture of a man who left an indelible mark on the world.

The writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it difficult to pause even for a moment. It's the kind of show that keeps you guessing and eager to see what happens next.

By the time we reluctantly called it a night, we couldn't help but reflect on the impact of this series. It's not just a show; it's an experience. If you're looking for a gripping, well-crafted narrative that will have you hooked from start to finish, this series is an absolute must-watch. Highly recommended!

I recommend it, excellent biographical mini-series of an ambitious dreamer who didn't know when to stop.

Leader, Genius, Cheat, Courageous, Visionary...

Full of irreverent performances, it transports us to France in the 1970s and immerses us in the symbolism of its history.

I was surprised by the quality of the plot and the performances, Laurent Lafitte was very well accompanied by the sublime Joséphine Japy.

Throughout the series It felt like I was on a ferris wheel in constant motion. The story was very well told and detailed to shed light on a personality who obstinately marked his time.

Tapie.

On a much lower scale, the ascension of Bernard Tapie and his aplomb reminded me of Trump... He was a media darling, a businessman that ended up laying off thousands of workers even though he promised he wouldn't... The only differences lie in the fact that Bernard Tapie was a real self made man who could not count on his father's money and that he got burned for flying too close to the sun! He also got married twice only! :-) Anyways, I really enjoyed this series and even though it was largely fictional, many scandals rang a bell to me as I grew up in France in the 80s-90s. It was really entertaining and I definitely recommend this series to anyone that would like to learn more about a man that is still revered as the Boss in Marseilles and who is still worshipped by many in France as the son of a factory worker who became a billionaire, a minister of the government, a tv host, a singer, an actor, a business owner who owned Adidas and changed its logo and the owner of one of the biggest French football club!

"Class Act" beautifully depicts the remarkable journey of Bernard Tapie, exemplifying his multitude of roles as an influential figure in various fields. The movie masterfully delves into his life as the ex-CEO of the renowned French company Adidas, his impactful leadership as the CEO of Olympique de Marseille (OM), and even his notable tenure as a government Minister under President Mitterrand's second-term administration.

One of the notable highlights of "Class Act" is the outstanding performances by the actors portraying Dominique and Bernard. Their remarkable portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the characters, making the viewers truly connect with their stories. Dominique's character shines with adorability and beauty, capturing the audience's hearts.

The movie brilliantly encapsulates Tapie's resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit in a captivating narrative. Each aspect of Tapie's dynamic life is meticulously portrayed, allowing the viewers to gain a profound appreciation for his achievements and the immense hurdles he overcame.

With its compelling storytelling and powerful character performances, it is no surprise that "Class Act" has received a perfect rating of 10/10 on IMDb. This truly remarkable film stands out as the best French movie of the last 40 years, encapsulating the essence of Tapie's extraordinary life and leaving a lasting impression on its viewers.

"Class Act" is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and a remarkable cinematic experience. It showcases the indomitable spirit of Bernard Tapie, reminding us that a true class act transcends boundaries and defines the true essence of success.

Thank you for sharing your review and bringing attention to this exceptional film.

From a working-class background, Bernard Tapie had an insatiable desire for power, a phenomenal capacity for action and a natural charisma. From 1960 to 1990, he created several business, took over companies in difficulty, became a legendary soccer manager, tried his hand at singing and politics. He won, and he failed. Again and again. This hyperactive man had brilliant intuitions, and never let any obstacle discourage him. But he had no scruples either, and left a growing number of unemployed workers in his wake. Caught up in scandal, he embodies France's fascination and contempt for economic success.

Bernard TAPIE... icon of the French businessman, a man who leaves no one indifferent. He's that guy you love to hate. We disapprove of his unscrupulous methods, but we can't help admiring his energy, his determination to shake up the establishment, his naive pugnacity in the face of those born into the strata of power. The rich and powerful never accept those who dare to rise up and join them. They find a thousand invisible ways to restrain and bully them.

We're used to the cynicism of wealthy businessmen who crush the workers in their companies. But Tapie was born in the working class. An empathetic guy who understood the workers. What wouldn't have shocked coming from a man born rich, disappointed coming from him. In the end, that he should have abandoned "his own" along the way, that is the sin French people cannot forgive Bernard Tapie.

The series succeeds in the tour de force of making us love this guy, understand him, admire him without approving of him. The performance of Laurent Lafitte is simply stunning. Episode after episode, we're drawn into the highly symbolic story of an ascent and a fall. Fascinating...

I belong to those people who admired Bernard Tapie, and believe me, there were millions of them. He was charismatic, unique, the only human being who was a singer, businessman, politician, big and small screen and stage actor, convict, major soccer game team owner - Olympic de Marseille. He was selfish, yes; ruthless, yes; ambitious, yes; charismatic, yes; big big big mouth, yes; liar, yes; fearless, yes; schemer, yes. But no one human being could stay without opinion concerning him.... NO ONE ON EARTH. This series is excellent, however it is at the edge of the caricature, the cartoonesque way of describing him thru his way of talking, behaving, puzzled me a bit. Some awesome sequences, especially in the last episode, with the face to face conversation between Bernard Tapie and attorney Montgolfier. I reviewed it on the seventh episode. They should have mentioned his famous sentence about Diego Maradona, the worldwide known soccer player. Tapie said " That's not someone like him that I want, THAT'S HIM !!!! I remind this sentence, back in the nineties, on TV. But they did not.