It's a comedic take-off on film noir set in a Paris hotel in the 1980s. It follows the intersecting activities of guests located in four different rooms. Throughout, there are literary references to a multitude of French- and English-language novels.
One room contains Émile Chenal (Claude Brasseur), a pilot and failing small airplane-business operator, and his wife, Françoise (Nathalie Baye). They are in serious need of money. A second room includes Detective William Propero (Laurent Terzieff), his nephew, Isadore (Jean-Pierre Léaud), and Isadore's girlfriend, Arielle (Aurelle Doazan). William is trying to solve a two-year-old murder at the hotel where a "prince" was murdered. A third room contains Jim Fox Warner (Johnny Hallyday), a boxing promoter, his fighter, Tiger Jones (Stéphane Ferrara), and Tiger's girlfriend, Princesse (Emmanuelle Seigner). Jim owes money to Émile and Françoise but is also having an affair with Françoise, who is considering leaving Émile. Finally, the fourth room contains a Mafia don (Alain Cuny) and his granddaughter (Julie Delpy). There are sundry additional characters.
The film provides rambling interactions among the various characters, some of which are absurd. Similarly, the many film and literary references often make little sense. There is a climax of sorts at the end that answers some of the questions.
The New York Times reviewer appropriately labeled "Détective" a shaggy dog story. This term implies a meandering, long-winded story that includes multiple irrelevant incidents. One watches "Détective" simply for the ride and the cleverness of Jean-Luc Godard. It's not a film of meaning but skilled entertainment spoofing a certain kind of noir film.
One room contains Émile Chenal (Claude Brasseur), a pilot and failing small airplane-business operator, and his wife, Françoise (Nathalie Baye). They are in serious need of money. A second room includes Detective William Propero (Laurent Terzieff), his nephew, Isadore (Jean-Pierre Léaud), and Isadore's girlfriend, Arielle (Aurelle Doazan). William is trying to solve a two-year-old murder at the hotel where a "prince" was murdered. A third room contains Jim Fox Warner (Johnny Hallyday), a boxing promoter, his fighter, Tiger Jones (Stéphane Ferrara), and Tiger's girlfriend, Princesse (Emmanuelle Seigner). Jim owes money to Émile and Françoise but is also having an affair with Françoise, who is considering leaving Émile. Finally, the fourth room contains a Mafia don (Alain Cuny) and his granddaughter (Julie Delpy). There are sundry additional characters.
The film provides rambling interactions among the various characters, some of which are absurd. Similarly, the many film and literary references often make little sense. There is a climax of sorts at the end that answers some of the questions.
The New York Times reviewer appropriately labeled "Détective" a shaggy dog story. This term implies a meandering, long-winded story that includes multiple irrelevant incidents. One watches "Détective" simply for the ride and the cleverness of Jean-Luc Godard. It's not a film of meaning but skilled entertainment spoofing a certain kind of noir film.