The Dinner Game *** (out of 5) (1999)

Cast: Thierry Lhermite, Jacques Villeret, Francis Huster, Daniel Provost

Directed by Francis Veber


THE DINNER GAME (LE DINER DE CONS) starts off with a few friends who have weekly tradition of finding a "jackass" to roast at a party for an evening. Pierre is one of the hosts who is lucky enough to have found a World Class jackass in the person of Francois a down-and-out tax collector who spends almost all of his free time making famous structures like the Eiffel Tower out of matchsticks. After a golfing accident, Pierre must call off bringing his jackass but ends up getting stuck with him in his apartment for the evening. But now the tables are turned, and the idiot he was planning to roast unkowingly makes Pierre's life a living hell.

It's all very amiable, and has great performances from the two leads in this stagy feeling French farce. One wonders if this would work better as a play than a movie, as most of the action takes place in Pierre's apartment. An occasional belly laugh can be had every once in a while, and at about 80 minutes, it doesn't overstay it's welcome although it is a bit slow for a farce. Recommended for a light and fun hour and 20 minutes, so long as you aren't expecting greatness.


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