The Closet (Le Placard) poster & wallpaper
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Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu, Thierry Lhermitte, Michèle Laroque, Michel Aumont ... see more see more... , Jean Rochefort , Alexandra Van Der Noot , Stanislas Crevillen , Marianne Groves

While there are plenty of stories about gay men who have pretended to be straight for the sake of their careers, this tart comedy from France considers the dilemma of a straight man doing just the opp... read more read more...osite. Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is an accountant whose personality is bland to the point of being nonexistent; he's been down in the dumps ever since his wife left him two years ago, and he becomes even more depressed when he learns that his boss is planning on firing him after 20 years of loyal service. Francois is seriously considering suicide until his next-door neighbor Belone (Michel Aumont) comes up with a plan to save his career. Belone finds some photos snapped at an especially randy gay nightclub, and using his computer, he pastes Francois' face over that of one of the participants. He sends copies of the doctored picture to several of Francois' co-workers, and soon everyone at the office is convinced the quiet little man has a flamboyant secret life. The firm's CEO, Kopel (Jean Rochefort), now has second thoughts about firing Francois, since letting an employee go who is known to be gay could invite a sexual discrimination suit. Meanwhile, the firm's public relations man, Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte), is dealing with Felix (Gérard Depardieu), an employee relations executive who is well known as a narrow-minded thug. In order to counter charges that he's a rampant homophobe, Guillaume instructs Felix to make friends with Francois, and soon Felix is spending so much time with Francois (while fighting his own internal revulsion) that his wife wonders if he's seeing another woman. Le Placard was writer and director Francis Veber's first film after his international hit Le Diner de Cons -- in which the leading character was also named Francois Pignon. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

8,121 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

79 critics

R, 1 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Francis Veber

Release Date: May 4, 2001

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DVD Release Date: November 13, 2001

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Stats: 475 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (475)

  • fb100002359227440
    January 1, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    Smart and funny, The Closet, is a good work of Veber, that don't leave without bring an anti-homophobia.
  • bbcfloridabound
    July 27, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    This movie is in French with English subtitles, Don't let that keep you from watching it. You will laugh from start to finish as Daniel Auteuil plays the part of a worker who is about to be fired from the company he works for, until he and his buddy dream up a plan to spread the ... read morerumor that he is gay, and send in pictures to his boss, well rumors fly and he gets boosted to the top. A enjoyable movie, worth the watch, very comical and very true of peoples nature. 5 stars
  • acenate
    July 6, 2010
    acenate
    It's hard to convey humor in subtitles, I think. Anyway, gay jokes are passé.
  • matseb2611
    March 16, 2008
    matseb2611
    Though only watched it on French with English subtitles, I still found it funny. It's a very light, simple, yet interesting film with a genius humour and brilliant acting.

    PS: The little kittens were really cute.
  • Hellshocked
    March 7, 2007
    Hellshocked
    Stereotypical 'high concept' story is turned into a compulsively watchable, undeniably hilarious romp. Gerard Depardieu is absolutely priceless in his role. and most of the film's big laughs come from him and his character's arc.

    The film is ultimately fluff, unimportant, but ... read morenonetheless it is fluff done well. It was a very pleasant surprise, and the gags hold up on repeated viewings.
  • dredzag
    October 27, 2009
    dredzag
    Enjoyed it thoroughly! Quick paced and laugh out loud funny. A straight man comes 'out' to save his job but ends up with a whole lot more!
  • cstivale
    May 16, 2007
    cstivale
    Somewhat silly, nonetheless has hilarious performances by some great French actors -- Auteil and Depardieu especially, the latter exceptional for a change.
  • madelineschulman
    November 25, 2006
    madelineschulman
    Many funny scenes and situations -- our hero accusing his pretty co-workers of sexual harassment (it's funny in context), our hero dressed in a giant condom for the Gay Pride parade. We really enjoyed this foreign comedy.

View All The Closet (Le Placard) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar
July 20, 2001
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

One reason that Veber's comic ideas are so effective is that, in addition to being very funny, they hit on the sort of sociological issues that people really do think about.

Geoff Pevere
July 18, 2001
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

While the generally sunny tone and faultlessly charming execution of the movie ... keeps things bubbling along, there's a cauldron churning somewhere beneath. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
July 16, 2001
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Perfectly built French tickler. Full Review

James Berardinelli
July 10, 2001
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The level of acting elevates The Closet. Full Review

Rita Kempley
July 6, 2001
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

A tour de farce from France's funniest filmmaker, Francis Veber. Full Review

Desson Thomson
July 6, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Wins you over with its devastating simplicity. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
July 6, 2001
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

Anyone expecting a serious reflection on gay or social themes or the current state of sexual attitudes in France will not find it. This sweet-natured movie is mainly for laughs. Full Review

Susan Stark
July 6, 2001
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Timely as it is funny. Full Review

Terry Lawson
July 6, 2001
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Auteuil continues to amaze, remaking himself with every new film. Full Review

Roger Ebert
July 6, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The screenplay relies too much on the first level of its premise and doesn't push into unexpected places. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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