Francis Veber wrote a hit play that was the basis of the original Edouard Molinaro's film "L'emmerdeur" starring Lino Ventura and Jacques Brel. Now, for a change, Mr. Veber decided to do his own version of his original creation. The result is a comedy that probably had the best intentions to please an audience, but it should have been left alone, which, in retrospect, was a better film. The movie reminds us of a French farce with doors opening and closing all the time. Mr. Veber has given it a frantic pace that works some times.
The premise is the same. A hit-man, Ralf Milan, is asked to kill a criminal kingpin in an important case that is coming to trial. Milan is not prepared for the turn his mission will take with the arrival of the suicidal Francois Pignon to the room next to him. As Milan prepares for the execution, his neighbor Pignon decides to end his life, without any luck. Fate brings them together as Milan cannot get rid of the jerk that has entered his life to make his job impossible.
Patrick Timsit, a stand up comic in his own right, and an actor that has been seen in other French comedies, plays the Jacques Brel role. Richard Berry appears as Ralf Milan, which was originally played by the great Lino Ventura. The pair has some good moments, and comparisons are unfair, but the 1973 comedy, in retrospect was more inspired. Beautiful Virginie Ledoyen is seen as Louise Pignon, making us think whatever did she think by marrying Francois in the first place. Veteran actor Michel Aumont is seen as Randoni, the man being brought to trial.
The premise is the same. A hit-man, Ralf Milan, is asked to kill a criminal kingpin in an important case that is coming to trial. Milan is not prepared for the turn his mission will take with the arrival of the suicidal Francois Pignon to the room next to him. As Milan prepares for the execution, his neighbor Pignon decides to end his life, without any luck. Fate brings them together as Milan cannot get rid of the jerk that has entered his life to make his job impossible.
Patrick Timsit, a stand up comic in his own right, and an actor that has been seen in other French comedies, plays the Jacques Brel role. Richard Berry appears as Ralf Milan, which was originally played by the great Lino Ventura. The pair has some good moments, and comparisons are unfair, but the 1973 comedy, in retrospect was more inspired. Beautiful Virginie Ledoyen is seen as Louise Pignon, making us think whatever did she think by marrying Francois in the first place. Veteran actor Michel Aumont is seen as Randoni, the man being brought to trial.