Film: Le Dîner De Cons
Release date: 28th June 2004
Certificate: 15
Running time: 87 mins
Director: Francis Veber
Starring: Thierry Lhermitte, Jacques Villeret, Francis Huster, Daniel Prevost, Alexandra Vandernoot
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Pathe
Format: DVD
Country: France
Le Dîner De Cons was nominated for six categories at the 1999 Cesar Awards, of which it won three. Those were Best Actor for Jaques Villeret, Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Prevost and Best Screenplay for Francis Verber. It was so popular in France that an American remake, Dinner For Schmuks, is due to be released this summer.
The title and main driving force behind the plot is the ‘Dinner Game’ - a weekly facade set up by the Parisian business elite. Each member must bring an idiot to dinner and a weekly champion idiot is selected at the end of each night. The ‘idiots’ each have an area of special interest, and are motivated to attend the meal by pure love of their hobby, and the enjoyment of sharing it with others.
The film focuses on the relationship between Pierre Brochant, a Parisian publisher and his idiot, Francois Pignon. Francois’ special interest is replicating famous landmarks out of matchsticks. His passion is such that he carries around a portfolio of photos of each structure, shoving it into the face of anyone that will listen. He meets Pierre on a train and, after presenting his portfolio, is offered a dinner invitation. Francois enthusiastically accepts - delighted for the chance to share his hobby with others, and possibly sign a book deal with Pierre.
Francois arrives at Pierre’s ready for dinner only to find him crippled; he has hurt his back and must resign from this week’s Le Dîner De Cons. The stage is set, and the rest of the plot is based in Pierre’s swanky, Parisian apartment. In a matter of hours, with nothing but good intentions, Francois manages to destroy Pierre’s life, each time proving that he really is an idiot providing untold comedy for the audience…
The delight of Le Dîner De Cons is watching the plot slowly unravel one step at a time, tangling its way into obscurity. Despite Francois’ idiocy, and constant fumbling, he is a completely lovable character, and his only motivation is for good, making his mistakes all the more hilarious. At the same time, the audience feels little sympathy for Pierre and his hurt back, taking pleasure in watching his idiot scheme backfire - leaving him crippled in more than one sense.
The film plays with ideas of social status and class, pulling on our stereotypes and pre-conceptions. Pierre embodies the typical emotionless and cruel, elite businessman, who takes pleasure in ridiculing those lower in status and from a background of formal education. Francois represents the socially inept, loner who has dedicated his life to a bizarre hobby.
Francis Verber sets almost the entire film in Pierre’s apartment, which allows him to focus on building the depth of the characters, so that by the end of the film, the audience has seen and understood the internal shift of the duo. The characters are completely realistic and multi-faceted, and it is a joy to watch how they learn from one another.
In this hysterical French comedy, Francis Verber gives the audience a taste of situation comedy at its best - a great insight into class relationships and stereotypes. A must watch! CC
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