For his first feature film, « Fils de », Spanish-French director Carlos Abascal Peiro had more than one ace up his sleeve: an interesting theme (finding a candidate who could broaden the electoral base to block the far right), a satire of the political world (its maneuvers, its scheming, its dirty tricks), a psychological basis rich in potential (the relationship between a son forced to reconnect with a father who never knew how to communicate with him), and a very good cast (leading actors such as François Cluzet, Alex Lutz, and Karine Viard, as well as talented supporting performers including Nathalie Richard, Francis Leplay, and Guilaine Londez). Unfortunately, the director, in his youthful enthusiasm, shows off with his camera and, while playing the technical virtuoso, strings together nerve-wrecking scenes lacking in depth: his satire is nothing but caricature, his politicians are mere puppets, and his convoluted plot awfully confusing. Peiro mistakes hysteria for rhythm, and his toilet humor is painful. That being, most of his lines fall flat. Add to that the forced acting of actors who usually shine in their restraint as well as a thunderous soundtrack, a headache and 105 minutes of boredom sure are in store.