Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

When first we meet François Pignon, (Gad Elmaleh), a car Valet at a fancy Parisian Hotel/Restaurant located right across the street from the Eiffel Tower...he has no idea he is about to be involved in the marital affairs of a powerful billionaire businessman.

Francois is madly in love with his childhood sweetheart, Emilie, (Virginie Ledoyen), who just happens to be the daughter of his family Doctor, (Michel Aumont), an eccentric Dr. who becomes ill whenever he makes house calls and the patient ends up taking care of him and then, has to pay for the visit! In this instance it was Francois father who wasn't feeling too well before calling the Dr., but the doctor ended up calling his daughter to pick him up and take him home…this is when we first meet Emilie.

Francois has decided to propose to Emilie, even so far as to have bought her a ring, on layaway…his roommate, Richard, (Dany Boon), who shares François's apartment with him, is aghast, especially when he is informed that he will have to move out and go back to live with his mother, it's inferred that she seems to like alcohol a bit too much...needless to say he is not happy at the thought.

But things don't go the way Francois wanted them to when he shows her the ring….You want to marry me? She asks…. then Emilie turns him down informing him that he is more like a brother to her…or at least she thinks so on the surface.

At the same time, Pierre Levasseur, (Daniel Auteuil), the rich tycoon in this movie, is having an affair with a stunning Parisian super model Elena, (Alice Taglioni), and presents her with a gorgeous Diamond necklace… Surprisingly she turns it down and informs him she is tired of sneaking around and demands Pierre divorce his wife immediately...Christine, (Kristin Scott Thomas), just so happens to control the purse strings of their billion dollar enterprise and he knows she is not about to give up easily….Pierre comes up with a plan to give Elena 20,000,000 Euros to back off for a while until he has the opportunity to get a divorce, at that time, she will give the 20 million back…right!

Then, unaware of any of these goings on, Francois is accidentally photographed by the stalking Paparazzi when he passes Pierre and Elena, as they walk down the street together...the three of them in the same frame.

The next morning, there is a big picture of the threesome in the newspaper… Christine, slaps the paper down in front of Pierre and demands an explanation…he denies everything, stating that Elena was probably with Francoise, even though his face is blurred in the photo…she wasn't with me, he exclaims. Francois is clueless.

Pierre quickly scrambles to find the guy in the picture, dreaming up a bizarre plot with his lawyer, (Richard Berry), that just might save his day and his marriage…they would offer Francois whatever amount of money he wanted to mislead his wife and the press by pretending to be the man having the affair with Elena, even so far as to have her move in with him so all the world would accept this bizarre relationship…Francois decides to go along with the plan in hope of getting Emilie jealous but only asks to be paid the amount of money she needs to pay her mortgage on her new book store venture.

So Elena moves into the tiny apartment…meanwhile both parties, hire private eyes to watch every move. Wife Christine, to see exactly what is going on and Pierre to make sure everything stays just "friendly" between the "new" couple..Elena plays the new lovers role to the hilt especially when there are cameras and Paparazzi around.

Elena does develop a fondness for Francois, but only in a friendly way, and Francois is witness to the world of Parisian top modeling….Pierre grows increasingly jealous, Christine knows more than she lets on and Emilie is confused to say the least. His friend Richard also is befuddled, how could Francois get this, over the top, gorgeous model to fall for him?

All this plays out in what can only be described as a French romantic comedy and works well on all levels, it's not the hit you in face kind of comedy but understated in many ways…I know I had a silly grin on my face as I watched the story unfold…The acting is right on, featuring actors I've seen in many French movies in the past, most of them having played much more serious roles, so to see them in this funny, farcical story is really a treat. Auteuil especially is enjoyable since he seems to have a way of bringing any role he plays to life in just the right manner and Gad Elmaleh has a sweet innocent puppy dog appeal as Francois when he's with his love Emilie but doesn't seem too unhappy when exposed to Elena's lifestyle…Kristen Scott Thomas, is the perfect upper class French wife and especially for an English actress! Many of the scenes play out on the busy Parisian streets, which of course is something I always enjoy. And a cameo by Karl Lagerfeld at the end of the fashion show was a hoot as he strutted on stage with his beautiful top model, Elena, wearing the show-stopping, over the top, wedding dress.

The Director/writer, Francis Veber is famous for making many comedies and is called the "boss of French comedies" including one I really loved "The Closet" with Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu…Many Veber films were remade into American versions: to name a few:

1991's Mon peee, ce heros�'s My Father the Hero
1986's Les Fugitifs�'s Three Fugitives
1983's Les Comperes�'s Father's Day
1981's La Chevre�'s Pure Luck
1978's La Cage aux folles�'s The Birdcage
1976's Le Jouet�'s The Toy

All in all, I really enjoyed The Valet the plot was lively and sophisticated with small details that combined to make the story funny without being too silly or complicated and the characters were enjoyable to watch. I give this movie 4 star!


Cast:
Gad Elmaleh - Francois Pignon
Daniel Auteuil - Pierre Levasseur
Richard Berry - Maitre Foix
Dany Boon - Richard
Michel Aumont - The Doctor
Laurent Gamelon - Paul
Karl Lagerfeld
Alice Taglioni - Elena
Kristin Scott Thomas - Mrs. Levasseur
Virginie Ledoyen - Emilie
Michel Jonasz - Andre
Patrick Mille - Pascale

Director:
Francis Veber

Writer:
Francis Veber

Producer:
Patrice Ledoux

In French with English sub-titles

The DVD contained a short "making of" extra but not much else


I'm adding this 4 star movie,(IMHO), to Captaind's good movie write off...all the entry's can be found here

And adding it to my French and English Write-off found here





Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older