PLACARD, THE / THE CLOSET

France, 2002, 95 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Auteuil, Gerard Depardieu, Jean Rochefort, Thierry Lhermitte.
Directed by Francis Veber.

The Closet is yet another very funny film by writer-director Francis Veber. In the 80s he made a number of entertaining films (often remade in the United States) including La Cage Aux Folles (The Birdcage), Buddy Buddy, Partners, The Toy, The Man With One Red Shoe, Three Fugitives, My Father the Hero. Some of his entertaining French films include Le Diner de Cons, Tais-Toi and La Doublure.

Many of his characters in his films are called Francois Pignon. This time it is Daniel Auteuil who plays Pignon as a small man, working as an accountant in a rubber factory, who is about to be fired. He receives advice that he cannot be discriminated against or fired if he is homosexual. Reluctantly, his sets himself up as homosexual – with all kinds of reaction from management, including Gerard Depardieu who in a very comic role becomes infatuated with him.

Francis Veber relies on oddball characters, farcical communication, farcical situations – which, below the surface, say a great deal about human nature.

1. An entertaining and gentle comedy? Personalities, interactions? Plots and confidence tricks? The importance of perceptions of people, false judgments, consequent actions? The humorous side? The sad side?

2. The title, the reference to homosexuality? The neighbour and his homosexual background, having been sacked from his job, times changing? His devising the plan for Pignon to save his job? The homosexual background, the photos? Their being sent to the personnel at work? The reaction, people believing the truth of the photos? Only the secretary realising that they were doctored? The attitude of the film towards homosexuals, tolerance and understanding, perceiving them as victimised? The gay bashing in taunts, in physical violence? The film making a plea for understanding people and offering tolerance and friendship?

3. The focus on Pignon, his seeing himself as a dull man, his wife walking out on him because he was dull, his son refusing to associate with him because he was dull? Santini wanting to fire him because he was dull? The photo, his not fitting in, standing aside? In the toilet and hearing that he was to be sacked? His desperation, loneliness, wanting to throw himself off the balcony, his being stopped by his neighbour?

4. His going along with the plan about the photo, his going to work, noticing people's reactions? His playing along by not doing anything and just being himself? Letting others do the perceiving? The attentions of Santini, at the meal and the discussion about his salad? His birthday and the buying of the pink pullover? The dinner and the discussion about football locker rooms and showers? His being bewildered? His complaint of sexual harassment by the secretary? The secretary's turning against him? His becoming exasperated? Holding on to his job, upset when the secretary was fired and going to plead her cause? Winning them round? The secretary's attempts to get his shirt off to see the tattoo, the spilling of the coffee, the secretary getting him to work back, the drinking wine, fiddling with his shirt? His reaction? His being persuaded by the publicity agent to go on the gay pride parade, the condom factory, wearing a condom? His son seeing him on television and thinking his father was not dull? His ex-wife looking at the video, ringing him, wanting an explanation? His being bashed and the sympathy of the neighbour? The sympathy of the boss? His worry about Santini and his breakdown? Going to see him in hospital, wearing the pink pullover, Santini suggesting he change it? The encounter with the secretary and the Japanese visitors watching (and wanting to come back to the factory)? The president and his confusion? The decision to keep him on? His strength in himself, with Santini and the welcoming party and his organising? His dinner with his wife, her taunting him, telling her the truth and telling her she was an unpleasant and ungenerous woman? A year later, his relationship with the secretary? The photo and his pushing the others in the front row out of the frame? The transition to a man more alive through misperceptions?

5. Santini and Gerard Depardieu's presence, his talking about sacking Pignon, his gay bashing and offensive language, racist overtones? His not realising it, being apologetic? The other executives and their plot to trick Santini? Urging him on to be kind to Pignon, telling him that it would save his career? Santini and his awkwardness on the football field and his shouting, advice about talking about showers? Going to talk to Pignon in the cafeteria and his awkwardness, the meal together and talking about the showers, going home to his wife and her exasperation, the suggestion about Pignon's birthday, buying the pullover, his wife seeing the receipt, buying the chocolates and her attacking him, moving out? Santini and his attachment to Pignon, the breakdown? In the institution, Pignon's visit, his coming to life again, the return? The friendship with Pignon?

6. The executives, their being in the football team, their not wanting prejudice - but taking their joke too far? Their telling the truth and its effect on Santini?

7. The boss, the sacking, the photos, the board meeting, his own prejudices, political correctness in keeping Pignon at work, taking the Japanese tourists, the interview with Pignon, keeping him on?

8. The two secretaries, the girl who perceived that Pignon was homosexual and interpreted his look, walk, the stories about him? The other secretary and her kindness, wanting to see the tattoo, working back, the sexual harassment charge, her anger, his saving her job, the sexual encounter? The only one to support him? The happy ever after for her?

9. The wife, walking out, harsh, urging her son to see his father but not responding? Pignon's telling her off in the restaurant? His son, ignoring him, Pignon going to the school (and the gay bashers thinking he was a paedophile and waiting for him in the garage)? His son not wanting to visit, the pasta dinner, giving it to the neighbour? His son seeing him on television, the change of attitude, getting his son back?

10. The neighbour, his sad story, stopping Pignon jumping, the cat and the episode of losing and finding the cat? Pignon buying another cat? His own story, helping Pignon with the photo, encouraging him, eating the pasta?

11. A look at contemporary France, the comic side of industry, working relationships? Promotions and ambitions? The issue of homosexuality and political correctness, gay bashers, people wanting tolerant attitudes, differing perceptions even when the individual concerned does nothing? A satisfying comedy with serious intent?