Five years after the television series "Call My Agent!" concluded, the ensemble returns in "Call My Agent! The Movie," now available on Netflix. The film follows Andréa, portrayed by Camille Cottin, a former talent agent who has transitioned into directing her debut feature. Set primarily on an outdoor location in the South of France, the movie explores the chaotic and unpredictable nature of filmmaking, incorporating various setbacks including weather challenges, casting complications, and interpersonal conflicts.
"Call My Agent!" originally aired from 2015 to 2020, chronicling the professional and personal lives of agents at the Paris-based ASK talent agency. The series, created by Dominique Besnehard and written by Fanny Herrero, garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following, receiving the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series in 2021. When the fourth season ended, the ASK agency had collapsed, and the characters had pursued separate paths: Andréa left talent representation to direct, Mathias and Camille launched a new agency, and Gabriel joined a competitor. The film picks up five years later, reassembling familiar faces while advancing individual storylines.
The movie delves into Andréa’s challenges as she struggles to complete her film amid mounting obstacles, including a turbulent custody battle with her former partner Colette. She hires Noémie (Laure Calamy) as producer, initially skeptical of her capabilities, but Noémie ultimately proves instrumental in navigating the production hurdles. The cast also includes Gabriel (Grégory Montel), who now works for a rival agency and represents Vincent Macaigne, the fragile actor who replaces the original lead lost to another project. Tensions between Macaigne and co-star Laetitia Casta, both playing heightened versions of themselves, provide additional comedic and dramatic fuel.
The film features several returning cast members, including Thibault de Montalembert as Mathias, Nicolas Maury as Hervé—now trying his hand at acting—and Liliane Rovère as veteran agent Arlette. Celebrity cameos by international stars George Clooney and Eva Longoria add a layer of self-aware humor, reinforcing the movie’s blend of fiction and reality within the film industry.
Producing a project that condenses multiple plotlines and character arcs into a single film presented a different creative challenge compared to the episodic format of the series. Yet, the movie retains its core themes of the pressure-filled, flawed nature of show business, balancing moments of vulnerability with comedic elements. Both leads Camille Cottin and Thibault de Montalembert acknowledge the difficulty of directing but express appreciation for the insight gained into the filmmaking process.
While "Call My Agent! The Movie" can be appreciated without prior knowledge of the series, longtime fans will find continuity in character development and an opportunity to reunite with the ensemble. The film reflects both the frustrations and the unexpected joys encountered in the making of art within a demanding commercial environment.