Le Placard

French humor, which isn't exactly subtle, is delivered via an especially broad premise in The Closet. A nebbish (Daniel Auteuil) who works at a condom manufacturer learns he's about to be fired; with the help of his neighbor, he pretends to be gay so his boss can't fire him without seeming prejudiced. Then a bigoted coworker (Gerard Depardieu) tries to worm his way into the nebbish's good graces because he's afraid of being fired. In the wrong hands, The Closet could be ham-fisted slapstick. What makes this movie truly delightful is the superb understatement with which every gag is handled; even the sight of Auteuil wearing a giant condom tip on his head has an impeccable deadpan grace. All the performances are excellent; Depardieu's smarm is particularly delicious. Each scene takes a new twist of social discomfort and befuddlement in this winning comedy. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Delightful and funny

This was a really funny movie. I usually don't like reading sub-titles, but I hardly even noticed them because the movie was so good. The humor is understated and well-done. I highly recommend this movie. September 2, 2008

Excellent movie!

I bought this movie for a our languages department - we show movies and have pizza as an evening activity. I saw the film a few years ago and watched it again - it's hilarious!! Daniel Auteuil is a brilliant actor (see The Eighth Day 1996). There is one racy bit though which is why it's an R and some suggestive language. February 22, 2008

Funny Take on Society and Sexuality

This film was an interesting look at how people tiptoe around sexuality. The acting was well done, and the cliche characteristics of the homophobic are exagerated to show just how silly they really are. It is a light-hearted look at something serious (possibly the best way to do it). It was above all entertaining, which is really all that I require from a movie. November 2, 2007

Star-studded but weak

First, let me say that I am NOT terribly familiar with French culture. Secondly, let me say that I do speak Spanish and so can hear much of what is being said in the original French, and the subtitles are atrocious! Overall, this film simply isn't all that funny. But for a French film, I was surprised at how light it was and that it made it to the shelf. I can peel layers off any film, no matter how stupid, and analyze it to death, discussing all the ideas and themes and all that. But I won't do it here because the only theme that is dealt with is that of the French view of humanity. But I'll let you figure that out. Don't expect to laugh much, though, unless, perhaps, you're French.

Primero, tengo que admitir que no sé mucho de la cultura de Francia. Segundo, si los subtítulos en español son tan horribles como los del inglés, no vale la pena. Sobre todo, ese film no es muy cómico ni divertido. Es casi un chulo. Realmente solo se trata de UN tema, pero por haber sido un film de Francia, no es muy pesado. Míralo si quieres, pero en mi opinión, es tiempo mal gastado. September 27, 2007

Not so funny

Yes, the acting is good, and the filming is more than adequate. But the truth is that this film is not very funny. The problem is the script. It is bland and sometimes confusing. There really is no point to it. (Is it for or against homosexuality?) The "R" rating is strictly for a few seconds of fake sex filmed at a distance. And there is no point to that either. This movie is simply not up to Veber's zany La Cage Aux Folles or his mildly humorous The Dinner Game. June 12, 2007

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