The Closet

The Closet

I just saw this funny film last night. It's great to see a big actor like Depardieu in a supporting role without overstaging the main guy Auteuil. All cast was great, the dialogue funny and the characters are likable, even the bigot Santini, even though in the beginning he only tries to make friends because his job is at stake. It's a little ambivalent about Santini's true sexuality, but then that's not really who the movie is about. Daniel Auteuil does a great job changing from pushover to self-assured loverboy. It's credible. Go see it!

This movie was a positive surprise! I didn't expect much and in fact found it rather slow and boring in the beginning. But it turned out to be a light hearted but witty and entertaining comedy. Especially Gerard Depardieus part was hilarious. Even a slight absurd edge to it.

If this film comes to your neighbourhood, make haste to see it. Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu -- known in the United States, I think, mainly for costume dramas like La Reine Margot and the Man in the Iron Mask -- are perfect in this comedy of errors. This is a mostly cheerful movie -- dark overtones are smoothed over and villains mostly get their come-uppance -- and the sight gags are inspired. The presentation of the damage control efforts of the corporation -- including sudden sponsorship of a float in the local gay pride parade -- are wickedly funny.

The sad, versatile face of Daniel Auteuil is perfect in his performance as Francois, a nebbishy accountant in a suburban French factory setting. He's not popular and fears he'll lose his job, as he's lost his wife and teenage son in a recent bitter divorce. But a new neighbor provides a remarkable suggestion on how he can become "impossible" to fire -- let them think you're gay. From this simple premise flows all of the fun -- the office politics, the wildly homophobic Gerard Depardieu (as a human resources exec) and the knowing women who assure one another, "I always thought he was different..." At the heart of this sweet little film is Auteuil, always bemused, always looking for a place to hide, yet always true to himself as well. He is loyal, persistent, kind -- a good friend. Certainly it's a fun movie for gay audiences, and everyone else who has survived in a modern office situation will enjoy it as well. Bright and gentle, nary an explosion or an android in the whole show.

When I went to see this movie, I did not realize it was a French movie with English subtitles. My first thought was...ugh! I usually detest subtitled movies. I was pleasantly surprised, however. After just a few minutes into the movie, I completely forgot the fact that it was subtitled. My only problem was trying to read the subtitles through my tears of laughter! An excellent comedy...one of the best I have ever seen.

I went because of a friend's recommendation. My expectations were low - French film, subtitles, silly premise. The realization was great - somehow the story was believable, the jokes funny and the actors empathetic. Best comedy I've seen in years.

Silly, stupid, impalusible premise, but a hilarious movie with wonderful performances from Depardieu and Auteuiel. Depardieu is an outrageous comedian. This is the kind of movie that makes me consider seeing only French movies... understaged, simple production values, but just plain funny... and ultimately sweet, poignant and uplifting.

An accountant at a condom factory (Daniel Auteuil) is about to be fired because his position has become redundant. He worries that he won't be able to keep up his alimony and child support payments to his cold-hearted ex-wife and indifferent teenage son. A new neighbor suggests he pretend to be gay, so that management will keep him on for fear of a discrimination lawsuit. Now that he has "come out of the closet", some of his colleagues mischievously set out to broaden the mind of the company homophobe (Gérard Depardieu). This one has some good sight gags and droll observations on how people perceive one another through the distorting lense of their own prejudices and assumptions.

I enjoyed this film from beginning to end. What is so funny though is Gerard's lines as he perceives his co-worker teaching him how to be more open minded. I laughed more at Gerard's impressions of what he was supposed to do and imagining what would come next then anything else. Foreign movies are good anyway, because they are so down to earth and realistic. None of the special effects of the American made stuff. You feel like your sitting as a fly on the wall in someone's living room. Daniel Auteuil is great as the unsuspecting, passive, do what you want with me guy, who is beginning to become a favorite of mine. Enjoy the movie!