In my search for new French films to watch, I came across The Dinner Game, which had apparently been funny enough and interesting enough that it was remade in the US and called Dinner for Schmucks. I've heard from various sources that the American version is a bit too stupid-funny for my tastes, and that, overall, the film was not that successful, barring some okay acting and a few funny parts (and about how many movies can we say that!).
The French version, however, stays really consistent and interesting, following the small cast from absurdity to absurdity in a way both strange and completely understandable. The basic idea is that a group of intellectuals have frequent dinners where each person brings a guest - and this guest must be un cochon: an idiot. Enter M. Pignon, who makes matchstick models of architectural marvels, has a weird, rhyming ditty for an answering machine message, and has a strange penchant for not being able to keep his mouth from continuing on conversations long after the normal ending point.
Director Francis Veber, who has already brought us The Valet and the original source piece for The Birdcage, keeps me laughing yet again with the way he keeps the story moving. Equal parts punnery and wordplay, sight gags, understatement, and interesting plot devices, the script is so well-crafted that we veyr much believe this scenario could actually happen, even while at every turn we know it to be full of contrivances.
The ending of the film is a true must-see for any screenwriter who may be having trouble figuring out how to end his tale. It's poignant and hysterical, and is a true ending to a terrific film.
Score: 9/10
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