"Le Placard" (The Closet)

A movie review by Jonathan Kresge, Resident Assistant, Lebanon Valley College

Movie Rating: R

This new French comedy is well worth a view for anyone who is interested in getting a good laugh. The movie starts out introducing the main character, Francois Pignon (played by Daniel Auteuil), and his pitiful life. He finds out that he is about to lose his job due to downsizing by the end of the week. You also find out that his wife left him two years ago, and he is still in love with her. To add insult to injury, his teenage son now wants nothing to do with him. So, on the evening that he finds out he is to be fired, he is drawn out on his balcony by the sound of a kitten. His new neighbor, an Industrial Psychologist (played by Michel Aumont), forces his way into Pignon’s life and assists him in retaining his job. The psychologist convinces Pignon to let everyone at work thing he’s homosexual, thus pressuring the administration into not firing him. This hilarious comedy follows the actions of both Pignon and his co-workers, as his “new identity” is revealed to all.

Everything about this movie drew me in from the first few minutes: the dry European humor ever-present in this film, the excitable music that began as soon as the movie started, the engaging characters that appeared so life-like to me, and even the scenery of the movie (seeing as Pignon works in a condom factory) kept me interested from the moment the movie started.

Granted, I have had several years of the French language, but I still am no good at comprehending spoken French yet. And I am not particularly fond of reading subtitles, either. But about 30 minutes into the film, I didn’t even realize I was reading them and I was just enjoying the film entirely.

So, if you are up for a few good laughs, this movie is definitely worth a viewing. I would easily give this movie a 9.5 out of 10. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this terrific show.