Le temps des oeufs durs

Darry Cowl 's funny faces can seem dull, repetitive and irritating in the long run,and his seasoned co-stars ,Fernand Gravey and Julien Carette effortessly blow him off the screen ,the first as a failed painter who thinks he's going to be Gaughin and becomes smug, snob and condescending ,the second as a mechanic who dreams of an underground garage where 100 cars could be parked -at the time, he was ahead of his time .

The screenplay is predictable,but contains enjoyable scenes :

-the connoisseur (Daniel Emilfork , in one of his rare appearances ) , dismissing the artist's lousy paintings as rubbish ,for his apartment is full of pictures of Sisley , Van Gogh and others .

-the artist ,whose works have ended in the sewer ,thinking he hit the big time and despising his "employee" he intends to fire ...

-the swimming-pool with the rival, a swimming instructor (Pierre Mondy)

-the brother's fish shop ,turned into an art gallery for a preview where the only clients are the mechanic and his wife ,disguised as art connoisseurs .The moaning sister-in -law , complaining this event takes place on Friday ,the very day when they sell more fish .

I had read somewhere that this film was much admired by Jean-Luc Godard. I did not allow that to deter me however and watched it anyway! Contrary to expectations I have to say I found it to be both engaging and entertaining.

Darry Cowl is not everyone's tasse de thé but he is just right here as Louis, the little man who wins a life-changing amount on the Lottery. Fernand Gravey whose career spanned half a century, is impeccable as a talentless painter with a Gauguin complex. Louis' employer is played by Julien Carette who seldom if ever disappoints. The supporting cast is splendid.

Even by the standards of director Norbert Carbonneaux this piece is on the 'quirky' side. There are some truly surreal episodes and yes, moments of comic genius.

It also has a gentle dig at self-delusion and the way in which our perception of people changes when they have loads of money to throw about. As the old Venetian proverb reminds us: "a man without money is a walking corpse"!