Rating: 
Summary: DELIGHTFUL SCREWBALL HUMOR
Review: Le Placard is an interesting hybrid: a French farce (but not as racy as most), a sophisticated screwball comedy of the pre-WWII mode (except more ribald), and a "message" film (about how our prejudices against gays distort how we think of homosexuals and of others we mistakenly think are gay). The film brings all of these elements together with a light touch, so even those people disinclined to agree with its message will find themselves laughing at the crazy antics. The filmmakers understood that if Le Placard was not to be like one of those sappy but "humorous" Robin Williams' message movies, the humor had to be what would drive the film, and this motion picture delivers the comedy in spades. It is one of the best new comedies I've seen in a while.
Rating:
Summary: One on the bests stories movies FRENCH by VEBER
Review: Still again some of the bests actors frenchies who are G?rard DEPARDIEU and Daniel AUTEUIL in this comedy witch is very FUNNY AMUSING and also Jean Rochefort who's the BOSS and many many others ! A poor man is obligatory, constrained to appear himself as a gay to keep on of his job ! REJOICY i've JUBILATED AT ANY MOMENT OF THIS MOVIE when at the opening of this film when the hero take a council of an ancient worker gay who has lost his job for the same reason whitch the man actual who's not gay and who will can retain his personal job because he work in a factory of condoms WONDERFUL IDEA OF VEBER WONDERFULS ACTORS !!! He will obtain every thing who he wanted with this SPLENDID PLOY ! VEBER IS A GENIUS ... OF THE LAUGH !
Rating:
Summary: One on the bests stories movies FRENCH by VEBER
Review: Still again some of the bests actors frenchies who are Gérard DEPARDIEU and Daniel AUTEUIL in this comedy witch is very FUNNY AMUSING and also Jean Rochefort who's the BOSS and many many others ! A poor man is obligatory, constrained to appear himself as a gay to keep on of his job ! REJOICY i've JUBILATED AT ANY MOMENT OF THIS MOVIE when at the opening of this film when the hero take a council of an ancient worker gay who has lost his job for the same reason whitch the man actual who's not gay and who will can retain his personal job because he work in a factory of condoms WONDERFUL IDEA OF VEBER WONDERFULS ACTORS !!! He will obtain every thing who he wanted with this SPLENDID PLOY ! VEBER IS A GENIUS ... OF THE LAUGH !
Rating: 
Summary: There's good and bad
Review: The performances are excellent, especially Depardieu. There are some genbuine laughs, but as someone else pointed out, it is a one-joke film, and there are parts where it gets out of hand, or tedious or unbelievable. See it, but buy it cheap or rent it.
Rating:
Summary: French Farce is funny but too tasteful.
Review: The writer and director who brought us La Cauge Au Folles and the recent comic cult hit; The Dinner Game, now delivers the Closet. The Closet is one of the most tasteful politically incorrect French farces I've seen. Everything is being delivered with such a gentle touch, it's hard to believe this is the same director who delivered the funny but mean spirited Dinner Game. The film is a little stronger than a television sit-com, but not much. It's an easy film to like--too easy. The Closet stars four of Frances most popular home grown box-office stars and was a huge hit there in late 2000. It arrived in U.S. theaters in 2001. I laughed quite a bit during the Closet, but as I was watching I also knew the film could have been much better. There were a lot of missed opportunities and with the cast involved it would have taken a real effort to completely fail to entertain. I appreciated the decision not to go completely sappy with some of the twists the story took and I think the film is a far better than something like In and Out to whom it's distantly related. Mild mannered, milquetoast, almost invisible Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) works as an accountant in a condom factory. He's such a non-entity when there's no room for him in the company picture he sits it out. He's such a nice dull guy, even the most gregarious guy at the company has stopped playing practical jokes on him. Then Francois overhears the gregarious guy Felix Santini (Gerard Depardieu) and his friend Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte) laughing about the fact that Fancois was about to be fired. Will anyone even notice? It's the last straw for Francois whose wife left him almost a year ago (though he still loves her) Francois' teenage son avoids him whenever possible, he has no hobbies, or friends and without a job, he'll be unable to give his wife alimony. He contemplates committing suicide.
His new neighbor, Belone (Michel Aumont) however be-friends him. He is retired corporate psychologist and he has a plan to help keep his job. Using some doctored photos, Belone, creates a rumor at the factory that Francois is gay. Fearing there could be bad publicity from the gay community which would hurt condom sales, the company can't fire Francois now. Francois boss, the beautiful Mlle. Bertrand (Michele Laroque) is not only suspicious that something doesn't add up, but she's also suddenly intrigued by Francois. Francois long string of bad luck and dullness has come to an end. Everyone's attitude toward the former invisible employee suddenly changes. Even gregarious homophobe Felix is being nice to him for some reason. Of course complications crop up, but the film is utterly predictable with its twists. The film is tame in tone and the humor pretty gentle. The direction from a visual standpoint is totally lackluster - though comic timing is sharp. It's really the charisma and skill of the actors (Daniel Auteuil here acts like a French speaking Tony Randall,) that makes this film as successful and funny as it is. They make it worth watching. DVD STUFF The Closet is presented in anamorphic widescreen with 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The colors are sharp and very little grain, dirt or print damage is visible. The black levels seems to be very strong. The soundtrack is clean and free from any distortion or noise. There's not a lot of sound effects or even appropriate occasions which would use the full spectrum of a home surround system, but the music and ambient noises are well distributed to create a natural sounding environment. We've all seen foreign films where everyone talks in strange hollow disembodied and over-modulated voices. That is not the case here. The film is in French and the English subtitles are very easy to read. DVD EXTRAS: Little is here but three theatrical trailers. BOTTOM LINE: The Closet is an amusing clever French comedy that delivers enjoyable performances. It should have been better than it is, but if you are looking for something a little different and in the mood to laugh it's certainly worth a look. If you're put off by subtitles (which are very easy to read on this DVD) then that's you're loss. 3 1/2 stars. It's funny but could have and should have been better. Christopher Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller.
Rating: 
Summary: Well paced very funny French farce with really good theme
Review: This 2001 French farce made me laugh out loud at times. That's because the theme is so funny. A mild-mannered nerd who's been working as an accountant in a condom company for 20 years is about to be fired. In order to keep his job, he takes the advice of a neighbor and lets everyone think he is gay. Here's were the theme of political correctness and its absurdities really take off. Daniel Auteuil plays the lead and he's great. The expressions on his face are worth a thousand words. The plot thickens, of course, as Gerard Depardieu, a co-worker, macho rugby player, and very stupid fellow, lets himself be set up by some pals of his to befriend Daniel Auteuil. What follows are some really funny scenes. And then, Auteuil's female boss tries to seduce him. The acting and the timing of the jokes were perfect and the concept was wonderful. It's a good thing it was only 85 minutes long, however, because with a film like this there is only one central joke and there are limits as to how far it can go. It might have been even better if it was cut to be even shorter. I do recommend this film, however. I loved the theme and the acting. And found it a pleasant evening of viewing pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Well paced very funny French farce with really good theme
Review: This 2001 French farce made me laugh out loud at times. That's because the theme is so funny. A mild-mannered nerd who's been working as an accountant in a condom company for 20 years is about to be fired. In order to keep his job, he takes the advice of a neighbor and lets everyone think he is gay. Here's were the theme of political correctness and its absurdities really take off. Daniel Auteuil plays the lead and he's great. The expressions on his face are worth a thousand words. The plot thickens, of course, as Gerard Depardieu, a co-worker, macho rugby player, and very stupid fellow, lets himself be set up by some pals of his to befriend Daniel Auteuil. What follows are some really funny scenes. And then, Auteuil's female boss tries to seduce him. The acting and the timing of the jokes were perfect and the concept was wonderful. It's a good thing it was only 85 minutes long, however, because with a film like this there is only one central joke and there are limits as to how far it can go. It might have been even better if it was cut to be even shorter. I do recommend this film, however. I loved the theme and the acting. And found it a pleasant evening of viewing pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Magnifique~
Review: This comedy glides through its 80 plus minutes effortlessly. It's about a dull accountant who is a push-over & he's about the be fired. His divorced wife refuses to take his phone call, his son tries to avoid him because he's so boring. Nothing in his life seems to be going right. Ironically, when he knows about his fate of facing the chop, his newly move in neighbour, who is a gay decides to help him to retain the job. That's when the movie elevates to another level. His colleagues start to see him in another light, rumour spreads about his sexual mis(adventure)s, & his life starts to turn around for the better. Along the way, he gains his confidence & he starts to enjoy being himself. It's difficult to convey this movie other than watching it yourself. The slapsticks, the jokes are blunt, very French. A movie that touches upon a serious issue about discrimination at work in a light-hearted manner. An all rounder movie. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A New Meaning to Coming Out!
Review: This French film is one of the funniest movies ever, with great writing and a cast of huge talents.
It all begins in a condom manufacturing plant with a boring accountant (Daniel Auteuil) who overhears from a bathroom stall that he will be fired from his position. Upon returning home he informs his ex-wife and son of his pending predicament and vows to find another job in order to keep them in alimony. He meets a new neighbor (Michel Aumont) who convinces him not to jump from his balcony and the fun soon begins. Together they concoct a story to save his job believing that if he can convince his company that he is really gay he will save his position by suggesting a prejudice exists. The company sends its dogs out to fend off any chance of a lawsuit and uses the services of its most macho employee (Gerard Depardieu) to "romance" away any perceived distaste for the new discovery. From here the story spins and weaves into a web of hilarious lies that will have you rolling on the floor in laughter.
This film is so well written and easy to follow that the sub-titles are easily accepted by even the most English of all English speakers. While some of the references in this film might be taken harshly by those of the gay persuasion it is really only a lighthearted stab at all of the stereotypes that lurk within a corporate existence. Boring accountants could also take offense for that matter! Auteuil is fantastic as the bumbling lead, Depardieu is never better as the macho man who eventually finds his true passion, Aumont wonderful as the helpful neighbor with a few secrets of his own, the incomparable Jean Rochefort adds his own brand of humor to the film cast as the company CEO and the cast just continues into a complete brilliance.
If you love to laugh, especially at yourself, this film will keep you in stitches and one viewing will leave you wanting more. For collectors of comedy films this one is a must have. So forget your hang-ups and enjoy a moment out of whatever closet suffocates you.
Rating:
Summary: A good chuckle
Review: This is a great movie to see on a wet rainy day when you need a chuckle. It has the right mix of wierd situations that are an ideal setting for the humour.
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