"It is better to be hated for what one is, than to be loved for what one is not." So goes the old quote, but this picture examines that issue with some very surprising conclusions.
Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is a very unhappy man. His wife, Christine (Alexandra Vandernoot), has left him. His son, Franck (Stanislas Crevillen), wants nothing to do with him. And while he is a competent accountant at a factory which produces condoms, he is as ignored at work as he is everywhere else, as evidenced by the fact that he is pushed out of the all staff picture when it is taken. In fact, almost all who know him consider him a dullard. So, when the factory staff needs to be downsized, he is, of course, first on the list. Distraught, and potentially suicidal over the loss of his job, he meets his new neighbor, Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte), an old gay man, who has a few ideas as to how Francois may be able to hang onto his job. If it becomes known that Francois is gay, the factory won't fire him for fear of facing a discrimination suit. Francois uncomfortably agrees to go along with this in order to save his job, but he has no idea what is in store for him as he "plays gay." At first, his deception merely saves his job, but does little to change things for him, but soon, he finds himself the grand marshal of a gay pride parade, his son begins to take an interest in spending time with him, and a homophobic co-worker (Gerard Depardieu) falls in love with him, leading to the co-worker's nervous breakdown. Francois' display of compassion in helping the man return to his job causes his boss, Mlle. Bertrand (Michele Laroque), to see him with new eyes, and to question whether or not he is really gay. Will she find out? What will happen to him if she does?
This is a story told with considerable charm. Francois is very downtrodden at the beginning, but you can't help liking him. As his influence grows, he stays true to himself, and never takes unfair advantage of the situation. That integrity wins everyone over to him, and keeps you routing for him throughout the film. When he finally claims his power and tells off his ex-wife, you want to shout for joy at his liberation. Here is a man who has learned much by pretending to be what he is not, has found true happiness by claiming what he is, and has benefited from the experience.
The acting is excellent. Daniel Auteuil turns in his usual masterful performance. Gerard Depardieu displays his genius for comedy in portraying Felix's disdain, and ultimate attraction to Francois, as well as his confusion over the whole incident. Michele Laroque does a wonderful job of portraying a woman who realizes that there is a lot more to this man she has dismissed as dullard than she thought, and in helping him realize this as well. The supporting performances are equally delightful.
Overall, this movie is a gem, which should be viewed periodically simply for the joy of seeing it. It is guaranteed to uplift your spirits, and make you appreciate life.
Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is a very unhappy man. His wife, Christine (Alexandra Vandernoot), has left him. His son, Franck (Stanislas Crevillen), wants nothing to do with him. And while he is a competent accountant at a factory which produces condoms, he is as ignored at work as he is everywhere else, as evidenced by the fact that he is pushed out of the all staff picture when it is taken. In fact, almost all who know him consider him a dullard. So, when the factory staff needs to be downsized, he is, of course, first on the list. Distraught, and potentially suicidal over the loss of his job, he meets his new neighbor, Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte), an old gay man, who has a few ideas as to how Francois may be able to hang onto his job. If it becomes known that Francois is gay, the factory won't fire him for fear of facing a discrimination suit. Francois uncomfortably agrees to go along with this in order to save his job, but he has no idea what is in store for him as he "plays gay." At first, his deception merely saves his job, but does little to change things for him, but soon, he finds himself the grand marshal of a gay pride parade, his son begins to take an interest in spending time with him, and a homophobic co-worker (Gerard Depardieu) falls in love with him, leading to the co-worker's nervous breakdown. Francois' display of compassion in helping the man return to his job causes his boss, Mlle. Bertrand (Michele Laroque), to see him with new eyes, and to question whether or not he is really gay. Will she find out? What will happen to him if she does?
This is a story told with considerable charm. Francois is very downtrodden at the beginning, but you can't help liking him. As his influence grows, he stays true to himself, and never takes unfair advantage of the situation. That integrity wins everyone over to him, and keeps you routing for him throughout the film. When he finally claims his power and tells off his ex-wife, you want to shout for joy at his liberation. Here is a man who has learned much by pretending to be what he is not, has found true happiness by claiming what he is, and has benefited from the experience.
The acting is excellent. Daniel Auteuil turns in his usual masterful performance. Gerard Depardieu displays his genius for comedy in portraying Felix's disdain, and ultimate attraction to Francois, as well as his confusion over the whole incident. Michele Laroque does a wonderful job of portraying a woman who realizes that there is a lot more to this man she has dismissed as dullard than she thought, and in helping him realize this as well. The supporting performances are equally delightful.
Overall, this movie is a gem, which should be viewed periodically simply for the joy of seeing it. It is guaranteed to uplift your spirits, and make you appreciate life.