A lot gets lost in translation in “The Conquest,’’ an account of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 rise to the French presidency. The film opens with a disclaimer: “Although based on real events and people, this is a work of fiction.’’ There should be another warning: Unless you’re up to date on French politics, a lot of Googling is needed to follow the players.
“The Conquest’’ is set before the smug Sarkozy (Denis Podalydes, excellent) hooked up with Carla Bruni. Here, the 5-foot-5, womanizing pol is married to lanky Cecilia (Florence Pernel), who leaves him for his publicist. You can’t blame her; he isn’t averse to slapping her around.
Much is made of Sarkozy’s height: His rivals, including President Jacques Chirac (Bernard Le Coq), call him “little Nick.” Sarkozy, meanwhile, bad-mouths Chirac, and news that the president has suffered a mild heart attack brings him joy.
“The Conquest’’ is best enjoyed as a political thriller rather than an historical account. See if Sarkozy doesn’t recall another womanizer, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, once considered Sarkozy’s probable successor.