Rent The Closet (2001)
3.6 of 5 from 166 ratings
1h 25min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- An inspiring, laugh-out-loud social comedy about an office assistant, Francois Pignon, who pretends that he is gay in order to save his job, The Closet looks at the hilarious attempts of Pignon's confused colleagues to come to terms with his hitherto secret sexuality. Written and directed by Francis Veber, one of French cinema's most popular and enduring directors, The Closet also boasts a roll call of truly outstanding acting talents including Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu.
- Actors:
- Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu, Thierry Lhermitte, Michèle Laroque, Jean Rochefort, Alexandra Vandernoot, Stanislas Forlani, Michel Aumont, Edgar Givry, Thierry René, Armelle Deutsch, Michèle Garcia, Laurent Gamelon, Vincent Moscato, Irina Ninova, Marianne Groves, Philippe Vieux, Luq Hamet, Philippe Brigaud, Eric Vanzetta
- Directors:
- Francis Veber
- Writers:
- Francis Veber
- Aka:
- Le Placard
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- Comedy, Lesbian & Gay
- Collections:
- A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema
- Countries:
- France
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Reviews (4) of The Closet
A very funny satire on political correctness. - The Closet review by CP Customer
The Closet tells the story of Francois Pignon, who after twenty years working as an unnoticed office worker in a condom factory discovers he's soon to be made redundant due to corporate downsizing. Recently separated from his wife and son, and with the thought of unemployment looming Pignon decides suicide is his only option, luckily his neighbour overhears Pignon talking to himself and talks him around with a plan to save his job. The neighbours plan is quite simple, all Pignon has to do is tell his employers he's gay, in the age of political correctness any dismissal of a homosexual employee could look like discrimination, therefore would panic the company into keeping him on. Overall, the film is incredibly funny with plenty of laugh out loud moments, and the storyline is very clever in exploring Pignon's work life and relationships with those around him. A particularly funny relationship is that between Pignon and Félix Santini (Gérard Depardieu) the factory's personnel manager, a macho bigoted homophobe whose clumsy attempts to appease his gay employee drive him to the brink of insanity. The whole cast is great especially Daniel Auteuil as the mild mannered Pignon who wants little more than a stable life and the love of his estranged family. The great thing about 'The Closet' is that it satirises without preaching, and has a story and characters that keep you hooked. If you love comedy then this film will have you in stitches, highly recommended.
5 out of 6 members found this review helpful.
Satirical look at prejudice - The Closet review by CP Customer
This is a very funny film. It has an underlying theme that can be a little sinister at times, but it is nonetheless realistic. Themes such as racism, homophobia and sexual harrassment run throughout the film, and it has a very good ending. Francis Veber's films are always fun, with a hint of cruelty in the humour, so if you enjoy this you will probably also like Diner Aux Cons.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Gentle and wicked - The Closet review by JD
The acting, atmosphere and filming are distinctively French. The humour varies from slapstick to pathos. Some of the plot is quite poignant like the treatment of alleged sexual harassment of male homosexuals by females. Most of it however is risibly amusing and charmingly acted.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.