So Long, Stooge is a 1983 French drama film directed by and starring French actor, comedian and filmmaker, Bertrand Tavernier. The film explores themes such as loneliness, redemption, and the human need for connection.
The main character, Lambert, is a man who has been burned out by life and has retreated into a shell of apathy, working the night shift at a gas station and numbing himself with alcohol. He is a man who has lost all hope and purpose.
Enter Bensoussan, a young man who comes to the gas station one night needing a spark plug for a stolen moped. The two men connect despite their differences, and over the next few days, they explore the city together. But Bensoussan's careless actions soon catch up with him, and he becomes expendable to his shady boss, Rashid.
Lambert decides to avenge Bensoussan's death, seeking information from a punk named Lola who knew the young man. Lola gradually breaks through Lambert's tough exterior, and he begins to open up about his own troubled past and unfulfilled dreams. Through his interactions with Lola and his quest for justice, Lambert slowly begins to find meaning and purpose in his life once again.
The film is a poignant and affecting exploration of the human condition, anchored by nuanced performances from its lead actors. It is a testament to Tavernier's skill as a storyteller that he is able to craft a powerful and moving portrait of redemption and connection out of such seemingly bleak material.
