62
Metascore
14 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranLos Angeles TimesKenneth TuranA smart, involving and strikingly adult drama about Sarkozy's rise to power.
- 75The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe Conquest offers that familiar thrill of being allowed to peek behind the curtain and see what our leaders are really like, and while it's more rote than revelatory, that may be because the American way of wielding power - and telling stories about it - has gone global.
- 75Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerStill, I prefer a bit more drama in my political docudramas. The Conquest never really breaks out of its genre in the way that, say, "The Queen" or "Il Divo" or the more fictionalized "In the Loop" did.
- 70Village VoiceMelissa AndersonVillage VoiceMelissa AndersonAided by an excellent ensemble cast, director Xavier Durringer and his co-scripter, Patrick Rotman, don't refrain from showing this truly repellent side of Sarko during his rise from minister of justice in 2002 to the highest elected office.
- 63Slant MagazineAndrew SchenkerSlant MagazineAndrew SchenkerEven as it takes pleasure in imagining the wheeling and dealing that politicos make when no one is looking, it never offers as much insight into the process by which a president is made as its premise would seem to promise.
- An amusing yet lightweight political farce.
- 60Time OutDavid FearTime OutDavid FearA drama about the dirty business of gaining power, it needs bared fangs - and more bite.
- 50The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenThe movie, which begins with Mr. Sarkozy's election-night victory in May 2007, only intermittently rises above the tone of an arch, sniping drawing-room comedy peopled with mild caricatures.
- 50New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoThe film opens with a disclaimer: "Although based on real events and people, this is a work of fiction." There should be another warning: Unless you're up to date on French politics, a lot of Googling is needed to follow the players.