Oscar

This boulevard comedy is to Louis de Funès and to French comedies of error what Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) is to Cary Grant and to American black comedies. You would expect each to be just another entry in a long list of theater adaptations, but each is perfectly executed by a brilliant ensemble led by one of the most famous actors of all time.

In terms of plot, this is a standard but well written comedy of errors concerning daughters, prospective sons-in-law and suitcases. But the execution, with great pacing and comedic timing, takes it to another level.

It appears that Louis de Funès is internationally best known for Les aventures de Rabbi Jacob (1973). In France he has continuously been the most popular actor since the decade this film came out, and even in my native Germany he comes close. Here, as I believe in most of Europe, he may not be the most popular actor, but he is still immensely popular and the most popular French actor. Unfortunately, this may be changing due to German TV's recent propensity to endlessly repeat the weaker sequels of Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez (1964) while being stingy with gems such as the present film.

Louis de Funès plays the standard type that he is known for: the hyperactive, choleric, bad-faith but ultimately likeable, businessman thrown into hilariously chaotic circumstances. Clearly the star of the film, he nevertheless doesn't try to run away with the show. Everyone gets their moments in which they are featured. Claude Gensac is perhaps best known for playing the wives of de Funès' characters, and in this film we can see why. Her role is relatively minor, but with her deadpan delivery she makes the perfect comedic foil (straight man) for de Funès' eccentricity.

More shallow than this famous comedy is hard to find. Paradoxically, more hilarious than Edouard Molinaro's "Oscar" is even harder to pick up. I personally favor satire and humor based on human behavior over those mindless restless bedroom farces centered on infidelity and slamming doors. Well, this looks very much like a mindless farce: a restless businessman, a maid who resigns, a brutish masseur, a dishonest right-hand man who bullies his employer, a daughter who happens to be pregnant, a suitcase passing from hand to hand... nothing very profound about that, to be sure! And yet, I couldn't help laughing (and I was not alone, believe me) from the very first to the very last minute. Only one conclusion can be drawn: the comic machinery of the diabolical Magnier-de Funès- Molinaro trio is so well-oiled that this filmed version of " Oscar " (there are five other ones including one starring... Sylvester Stallone!) makes it simply irresistible. A real whirlwind that sweeps through the movie theater and leaves you breathless, not to say wheezing, with Louis de Funès at the top of his art.

This movie can't be translated, because De Funès is acting perfectly. It's the type of comedy we don't see anymore in films, probably because it takes a very good actor to create almost continuous comic effects. This is achieved because it's a play-like movie, with just one act. It amazed me to realize that I had just watched a long, hilarious play, with few breaks without getting bored for a second.

The many clichés would have ruined it if everything wasn't gravitating around the main character. It is a sort of getting De Funès from 'The Restaurant' and putting him on continuous play. The sweat on his face makes you admire his devotion to his job. He should be thanked with a bow for being almost perfect.

A swarm of characters flying around you, making you laugh with tears.Without doubt a classic.

Neurotic and depressed businessman : Louis De Funes receives a visit from his own company , an office clerk : Claude Rich asking him for marrrying his beautiful daughter . But Funes wants to find the right husband for his pregnant daughter.

The storyline is sharp , if formulaic but the movie suffers from being extremely stagy . This amusing farce results to be a stunning comedy in screwball style , with a number of messes , misunderstandings, disorder , confusion , breathless set-pieces , though with no sexual tension . A family film without vulgarity , but clean, plain and simple humor . The centre of this deliciously convoluted comedy plot involves mislaid suitcases and never-laid suitors . Here stands out the magnificent Louis De Funes, as always he's a total show , as he puts strange gestures, twisted faces , mimes, and lots of gesticulation . Funes got his greatest hits in the Sainz Tropez Gendarme series , including as follows : the first "Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez" 1964 , "Gendarme in New York" , "Gendarmes and the creatures of outer space" , "Gendarme in Balade" , "Gendarme and the Gendarmettes" . Being accompanied by Claude Gensac who collaborated in five movies as Funes' wife . Along with likeable secondaries as Mario David, Paul Preboist , Roger Van Hool , among others . It had an American remake in 1991 by John Landis with miscast Sylvester Stallone , Ornella Muti , Kirk Douglas , Peter Riegert , Vincent Spano , Marisa Tomei .

The motion picture was competently directed by Edouard Molinaro who orchestrates the action with military precision, injecting life into the proceedings . Molinaro was a good French filmmaker who directed all kinds of genres with penchant for Comedy , as he made "Beaumarchais the Scoundrel", "Just the Way You are" , "Dracula Father and Son" , "Ravishing Idiot ," Back to the Visit" and his big hit : "La Cage Aux Follies" that had an American remake as well . Rating : 7/10 . This is one of the best Louis De Funes vehicles , giving a real recital in his peculiar style . If you like Funes' overacting , you'll enjoy this one. Better than average . Well worth seeing .

For those who master french perfectly, it's the greatest comedy ever, full of typically french humour, wordplay, double messages and misunderstandings. For those who understand french sufficiently, it's still a riot. For the others, it will be the ultimate proof that french belongs amongst the most non-verbal languages on the face of this earth. MUST SEE! By the way: it was never released on video, but this is going to change rapidly as Gaumont - owner of the rights - has announced its release (VHS & DVD) before the end of 1999!!! So stay tuned and keep in touch with your local video shop...