Le Distrait

That Pierre Richard is a comedic genius is beyond question, yet this laborious effort at light-hearted farce -- directed, co-written and starring PR, everybody's favorite Tall Blond Man -- is a misfire from start to finish. Strained physical comedy, double-take visual jokes that lack a point, one-dimensional supporting characters given little to do and the absence of any particular plot render this series of anecdotes an hour and a half you'll regret losing. PR himself is always amusing, and he has several moments here that will make you smile broadly. But the other 95% of his screen time is either mugging for mugging's sake, which gets old fast, or simply shtick -- which he sets up and performs far better in any other movie of his from the '70s-80s. Strictly for completists and the very easily entertained.