Toto le Héros

Toto le Héros Photos

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Cast & Crew

Michel Bouquet
Thomas, as an old man

Mireille Perrier
Evelyne as young woman

Jo De Backer
Thomas, as an adult

Thomas Godet
Thomas, as a child

Gisela Uhlen
Evelyne as an old woman

Sandrine Blancke
Alice

Peter Bohlke
Alfred as an old man

Didier Ferney
Alfred, as an adult

Hugo Harold-Harrison
Alfred, as a child

Fabienne Loriaux
Thomas' Mother

Jaco Van Dormael
Director

Jaco Van Dormael
Writer

Pierre Drouot
Executive Producer

Dany Gays
Producer

Luciano Gloor
Producer

Pierre Van Dormael
Original Music

Walter vanden Ende
Cinematographer

Susana Rossberg
Film Editing

Gerda Diddens
Casting

Hubert Pouille
Production Design

An D'Huys
Costume Design

Anne Van Brée
Costume Design

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Audience Reviews for Toto le Héros

• Nov 27, 2012

  Wonderful Belgian film from someone other than the Dardennes.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Mar 20, 2011

  Under the delusion that he was switched at birth with the kid who ends up being his next door neighbor, Thomas spends his life plotting revenge. He also falls in love with his sister. Strange little Belgian dramedy that jumps around in time and in reality (there are flashbacks inside of flashbacks, dream sequences, and so on) but ends up painting a poignant portrait of lifelong envy.
  Greg S Super Reviewer
• Jan 13, 2011

  I could try to tell you about this slice of wholly original Belgian cinema, but that would still sell it short. If there ever was a story about a man's bitter resentment, this is it, as Thomas is convinced he was switched at birth with another family and bears that grudge until his final days. Experiencing that man's life though, which on paper looks like a long row to hoe, proceeds in completely unexpected ways. There is no timeline - we jump from his old age to his youth to his adult years with dizzying frequency, and yet Jaco Van Dormael manages to give enough cues that we can stay on the same page. This is a filmmaker who asks that his audience pay attention, so turn off those cell phones! Integrated into the main stories are a collection of fantasies as well, and not always easy to tell which is which. The title Toto The Hero refers to Thomas' alter ego as a spy determined to save his father and makes several appearances. While the entire cast performs beautifully, special mention goes out to the two main child actors as young Thomas and young Alice his sister (or adopted sister, depending which story you believe.) How the Europeans can consistently harvest such young natural actors is impressive, while the best that American casting agents can usually find is another Jake Lloyd. For influences I thought of <i>Sunset Boulevard</i> for opening with a narrated death scene and especially <i>Vertigo</i> for a mysterious obsession Thomas has with a woman that he thought was dead. As for followers, I have to believe Jean-Pierre Jeunet is an ardent fan (the lightbulb-popping ploy instantly reminded me of the same trick in <i>Amelie</i>). A whimsical, serious, thoughtful, surprising, and engaging piece of work, I can honestly say I have not seen anything quite like <i>Toto Le Hero.</i>
  Doctor S Super Reviewer
• Jan 21, 2009

  I suppose it's forgivable to boink your sister if your sister looks like Mireille Perrier, right?
  Randy T Super Reviewer