Sometimes, it can feel as if scrolling through Netflix is a never-ending quest to unearth a hidden gem, before you discover there is only one season or the show you now love has been canceled. However, if you too are facing this unenviable task, look no further thanCall My Agent!This fantastic French comedy follows four agents in an acting agency, desperately trying to keep their business afloat after its fearless leader dies. While it is hilarious, touching, and has four seasons of top-notch content, earning itself a97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s important to note that the hit series will be moving to Apple TV+, though that shouldn’t stop you from binging this comedic series as soon as possible.
Recently, we have seenThe Studiopresent a fictional portrayal of Hollywood which includes cameos from stars playing themselves, such asDave Franco,Zac Efron, andZoë Kravitz, butCall My Agent!takes a more grounded approach to the behind-the-scenes of the filmmaking industry. Rather than being set from the perspective of a high-ranking studio executive,Call My Agent!’s choice to focus on the agents and the politics they engage in to get their clients coveted roles shows us a fascinatingly complex and high-stakes worldwhere people can be treated as the closest friends one minute and mere commodities the next. Furthermore, the parallel between agents trying to push their career forward and theirassistants merely trying to get a start in the industryis also a wonderful contrast.
‘Call My Agent!’s Main Characters Are Basically Politicians
There are numerous times inCall My Agent!in which our four agents, Mathias (Thibault de Montalembert), Gabriel (Grégory Montel), Andréa (Camille Cottin), and Arlette (Liliane Rovère), are shown walking down corridors, twisting this way and that, while speaking with an assistant or fellow agent, trying to figure out what their next move in negotiations will be. In doing so, the visuals parallel those seen famously inThe West Wingand make the stakes of the agents’ dealings feel incredibly urgent and high-stakes. Constant mentions from Mathias about what is “good for the agency” serve as a reminder that they all need to pull their objective weight in an incredibly personal business. Because of this pressure,we see two approaches from the characters who contrast each other most: Mathias and Gabriel.
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Mathias treats his clients and colleagues as pawns to be moved on a chess board. Whether he is showingCecile de Francea fake picture to convince them to get plastic surgery, or immediately taking the seat of their dead boss and friend, Samuel (Alain Rimoux), it can be difficult to see where this man’s humanity is, but his results are undeniable, as we are reminded by Andréa in the second episode, “Line et Françoise,” that he is the richest of the four of them. However, Gabriel’s approach is to treat his clients as human beings and gain their trust. For example, Gabriel convinces Cecile not to go through with the surgery simply by being a silent reminder that she doesn’t need it,and they have a far stronger client-agent bond because of it. However, it is important to note that Gabriel, to a lesser degree than Mathias, is still manipulating clients so that they listen to him (and he keeps their business), but it is still done in a way that is shown to be more caring than Mathias’ approach.
‘Call My Agent!’ Shows How Mentally Distressing Being an Actor Can Be
It’s certainly understandable when you hear someone say that they have little sympathy for the trials and tribulations actors go through in the film industry, as their compensation is arguably more than fair. However,Call My Agent!excels at making us understand how deeply personal some of the critiques can become, especially for women and minorities. As previously mentioned, Cécile de France is told she is too old for the newQuentin Tarantinomovie and can only be given the part if she puts filler in her cheeks.
Other actresses, such asAudrey Fleurot, express how hard it is to be a working mother in the industry, and a newcomer, the agency’s mixed-race receptionist, Sofia Leprince (Stéfi Celma), is repeatedly refused roles because she is either considered too white or too Black and can only play the part of a slave at first. It’s easy to feel for these people who have to be judged at times solely for their appearance, and how ittypically affects those already fighting against societal issues such as racism or sexism.
The Assistants in ‘Call My Agent!’ Are Just As Compelling
Of course, there is no complete narrative without supporting characters to expand upon the themes set up in the core of the tale, andCall My Agent!uses the structure of the agency to seamlessly integrate different subplots into the show. Each agent has an assistant, and whether it is Hervé (Nicolas Maury) getting actresses such asLaura Smetcoffee to charm them into waiting a little while longer while Gabriel is in a meeting, or Camille (Fanny Sidney) taking a job at the agency to learn more about her father, Mathias, and begin her own career,these characters show us the day-to-day of the industry that entertains millions.
Without Camille, we wouldn’t see how incestuous the industry is, and without Hervé, we wouldn’t see the necessary improvisation skills it takes to keep stars happy and make them feel as if all is being taken care of.Call My Agent!has plenty of characters and gripping storylines to keep you engaged over its 24 episodes. While the ridiculous chaos of the industry will make you laugh, there are deeper parts toCall My Agent!as well. This four-season series is a peak into some of the more political aspects of filmmaking and will have you hooked within seconds.
Call My Agent!
