"Come out of the closet." "But I'm not gay!" (The Closet (DVD))

Member Name: sirg0508

Product:	The Closet (DVD)
Date:	27/09/06 (240 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, good story

Disadvantages: Price

François Pignon arrives at his work with a smile and a new tie ready for his company photograph where he is immediately pushed out of the picture; only later does he realise it would also mean out of a job. With no hope and nothing to live for Pignon’s new neighbour has an idea to help him keep his job – who would want to sack a man and risk being accused of sexual discrimination? The plan could backfire or Pignon could happily continue his working life with his little secret.

‘French’ and ‘Comedy’ is not often put together but this is a very funny film. The opening scene as the people gather reminds me of Beethoven as the dog finds its way into the neighbourhood with cheerful music playing in the background. As soon as Pignon (played by Daniel Auteuil) gets pushed out that picture the viewer sympathises with him and things just go from bad to worse for the man. Throughout there are sad or serious moments and then all of a sudden something like a toaster popping can bring laughter into the scene. For the non-French speakers I was amazed at how little the comedy was lost in understanding the subtitles and the subtitles are very clear so easy to follow.

There is a star cast in this film (although these are French stars): Daniel Auteuil as Francois Pignon, the hopeless accountant, Gerard Depardieu as Felix Santini the brute co-worker, Jean Rochefort as Kopel the President of the company and Thierry Lhermitte as Guillaume a manager egging Santini on to be nice to Pignon. Auteuil is fantastic. His facial features show sadness or happiness and his eyes can become red which make the scenes authentic for an overworked accountant staring at a computer all day. His son doesn’t want to know him, his wife hasn’t wanted to hear from him since they divorced and the threat of becoming jobless is more than he can take. Pignon is a very quiet character and quite often there are just one word answers but it works well for his character as the cliché ‘it’s always the quiet ones’ comes to mind.

Pignon forms strange relationships throughout the film with other characters including his new neighbour Belone (Michel Aumont). Even though they’ve just met they become good friends and share happy and sad moments as they occur with the help of a little kitten. The best relationship however is between Pignon and Santini. They’ve always hated each other but if Pignon keeps his job then someone else’s has to be on the line. Santini is a brute and is always making jokes about gay people so he is told to be extremely nice if he doesn’t want to be in the firing line. The way Santini changes through this film is staggering and at the same time just shows how great an actor Depardieu is.

Rochefort as ever is perfect for his role. As the Company President he is insistent on them having a good image and although can have a very serious side certainly doesn’t lack moments of humour. Thierry Lhermitte I knew for his role in another French film (‘And Now Ladies and Gentlemen’) and even though ‘The Closet’ was released a year before there are obvious physical differences: here he looks very thin and almost ill. But his character (a top manager) is certainly two faced and up for a laugh at anyone’s expense. His character really isn’t one to be liked but the way he pushes Santini over the edge makes the film even funnier.

Pignon’s hoax secret is leaked to the company and the way people change their opinions and act around someone just because of their sexuality really shows in this film. Unfortunately it just proves that people can’t accept what others want and feel the need to abuse them. The company Pignon works for was perfect. They manufacture rubberised materials including condoms and it just so happened that there was a gay parade coming up and Pignon becomes a sort of very uncomfortable icon for the company. It was funny to see how everyone claims they knew there was something about him and how they knew he was gay even though he’s been at the company for 20 years and no one said a word. Best of it was Pignon didn’t change at all – he didn’t try to act gay but when rumours fly they move fast. There is a very true story and it shows how much times have changed but in a way the film kicks back at the past. The film works well balancing both the very real but very funny storyline. The characters are all suited to their roles and Depardieu really surpasses himself in such an unusual way. The film tries to be politically correct but takes it very much to the extreme where it really backfires in a way. Directed by Francis Veber this film is a great follow on from ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ and ‘Le Dîner de Cons’ which in a way combine to create this film.

I can’t recommend this film enough. It has been on TV before (BBC I think) so always worth keeping a look out for the late night films. I did see it then and still find it funny now. I bought the DVD but the Extras are nothing to shout about. Firstly is the cast and crew biographies but these are just for the director, Auteuil and Depardieu. They are just an endless list of the numerous films they have been in/worked on and the numerous rewards received. It does make the director seem a little more personal though with his thoughts on not even feeling French. Then the Theatrical Trailer which captures the best moments but I feel makes it seem too American (but that’s probably because of the American voice-over). Finally is the other releases from Optimum Releasing which seem to be a mix of older films and newer such as ‘He Loves me He Loves Me Not’ with Audrey Tatou, ‘Betty Fisher’ which isn’t well filmed at all and ‘The Officers’ Ward’ which didn’t really appeal to me. The DVD is also in Widescreen format but the picture and sound quality of both are fantastic.

Rated as 15 because of a sex scene and bad language, I perhaps wouldn’t recommend buying the DVD as I paid £8.97 and feel this is a little too much for it and the extras are nothing special but do recommend the film itself. If found cheaper then buy the DVD and enjoy whenever you can!

Length: 85 minutes
Rating: 15
Region: 2

Summary: One man has a dull life but it soon livens up!