The Closet

A five-star movie should be written about in superlatives, but when it comes to The Closet, the first sentence that comes to mind is the sober and conservative "a tasteful film about suggestive matters." The Closet is not an exceptional film, but it is a film that works well, with a very solid script, a high-quality cast with flawless performances, and good direction - simply put, there is nothing that I could criticize about it. In this film, I truly discovered Daniel Auteuil for the first time, who is one of the best current French actors. He is skillfully supported by Gérard Depardieu and Thierry Lhermitte in smaller but still significant roles. It is a film about hypocrisy in the media and interpersonal relationships. I am somewhat surprised by the somewhat low rating compared to very average or even below-average films. For example, to me, randomly comparing it to the similarly rated film Dumb and Dumber amounts to a difference of three stars. Overall impression: 90%. (24/09/2007)

Francis Veber's typical cocktail of classic comedy and gentle moralizing, this time with the great Daniel Auteil in the lead role and the literally magnificent Gérard Depardieu in... In the second lead role. (19/10/2014)

Very funny comedy, in which I laughed out loud. Daniel Auteuil is truly a versatile actor, able to play a tough policeman, a painter escaping the hustle of the big city, an unfaithful husband, and here a trampled clerk pretending to be homosexual. Once again, he meets on screen with another great actor, Gérard Depardieu, and the result is truly entertaining. If only there were more comedies like this. (27/10/2008)

"I have nothing against homosexuals... That faggot!" Director Rochefort's line symbolizes the poking at human hypocrisy, but despite the fairly intelligent and non-aggressive humor, I can't shake the feeling that more could have been made of the potential for a false outing and the subsequent ripple effect on those around. I'm surprised there hasn't been an American remake yet, where Steve Carell would take on Auteuil's role, and Will Ferrell, as the "gay-basher" who loves the oblong ball, would find the hetero ground slipping from beneath his feet. (10/11/2022)

A comedy set in a condom factory and where the protagonist pretends to be homosexual? This sounds like the set up of a movie written for Adam Sandler and all spiced up with a torrent of fecal humor. But then you notice the name of the director and it is clear that there is no such threat. A traditional French comedy based primarily on situational comedy, refined dialogues and actors. That's what it's all about. The Closet is definitely amusing and entertaining, but it is just too mediocre. Everything we see in it has already been done more than once before by Francis Veber. And usually better. (25/09/2007)