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(Le Placard) (France) Directed by Francis Weber (My Father the Hero, Les Fugitifs, Les Compéres, La Chèvre).
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu, Thierry Lhermitte, Jean Rochefort, Michel Aumont.
Plot: François Pignon, a very bland sort of man who works as an accountant in a rubber factory, is about to be fired. His new neighbor comes up with an idea to save his job: he spreads the rumor that he's gay so that the factory management will be afraid he'll sue for sexual discrimination. This comedy plays heavily on how people's perceptions of the man change when they suddenly believe he's homosexual. Gérard plays Pignon's macho personnel manager, a man who hates gays, but when his own job seems to be in jeopardy because of his intolerance he courts the favor of Pignon.
Our Review: This is one of the most delightful French comedies to come along in quite some time. Weber manages to keep his screenplay sympathetic by making fun, not of gays, but of people's perceptions of gays. Everyone finds Pignon so much more interesting, vital, mysterious and sexy once they 'discover' that he's gay. The comedy between Pignon (Auteuil) and Depardieu's character is particularly hilarious, with the poor macho bastard losing his mind trying to win the friendship of Pignon. It's hard to imagine anyone but Depardieu playing this role -- the wistful looks he gives coming from that masculine face are just too funny. Bravo for a truly sparkling French import and for a very special vehicle for Gérard and Francis Weber.
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