Words known to all. Who never hummed Women, I love you by Julien Clerc, or Letter to France but also We will all go to heaven Michel Polnareff? Who has never been moved by Things of life by Claude Sautet or laughed in front An elephant cheats a lot Yves Robert? All these texts, songs and films, have one thing in common: Jean-Loup Dabadie. The prolific lyricist and screenwriter died on May 24, 2020, of a long illness, at the age of 81, at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris. Throughout his career, the one who shared the life of the actress Julie Arnold has rubbed shoulders with many personalities who have become, for the most part, loyal friends. With the exception of Jean Dujardin.
"At 3 p.m. they are still not there"
Yet it all started well. In 2006, the two men meet at the time of the play Two on the swing. Adapted by Jean-Loup Dabadie, the play is performed by Jean Dujardin, not yet Oscar winner for The Artist, and Alexandra Lamy, also her life partner. "We saw each other all the time. I am very loyal to my theater actors. He's an extremely nice guy, he imitated Montand, always laughing. He has a really charming missed rugby player side ", says Jean-Loup Dabadie in an interview with the magazine Schnock, in 2018, relayed by Close. But one day their friendship comes to an abrupt end. Three days before the end of the performances, Jean-Loup Dabadie and his wife Véronique invite the couple Jean Dujardin and Alexandra Lamy to lunch. Things are not going as planned. "Véronique prepares a pretty table, she knows that it is a man from the Southwest who loves meat, she buys a pretty prime rib. (…) At 3 p.m. they're still not there", remembers the man of letters.
Thinking that it is probably an unfortunate forgotten date, Jean-Loup Dabadie challenges Jean Dujardin whom he meets the same evening behind the scenes of the Edouard VII theater where the play is being performed. "So Jean, we're still waiting for you." Him : 'Oh well, should we eat at your place? ' He challenges Alexandra (Lamy, editor's note). Her: 'But if I told you!' Him: 'Ah yes, but I had a problem with my daughters. Sorry.'" Explanations more than light. Without excuse or catching up. "Since this episode and this period, we have never received the slightest sign. This friendship has died out with the performances, with the success that we had", regretted Jean-Loup Dabadie. An incomparable boorishness which left bitter traces.
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