Review of The Valet (2006) by Sharon A — 23 Sep 2013

As light as a chocolate eclair, "La Doublure" is a French comedy that truly can be defined as a French comedy, considering it could never be taken seriously here in America. In the U.S.A., raunchy comedies have officially taken over; "La Doublure" reminds us that the French always remains classy, charming, and often times zany without being disgusting.

François (Gad Elmaleh) is a mild-mannered valet that works for a ritzy restaurant with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. But in his life, this is the majority of success. He proposes to his true love, Emilie (Virginie Ledoyen), and she turns him down. His parents worry about him constantly. Things quickly turn around when he has an accidental run-in with fame.

As François is walking down the street one day, he just so happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Billionaire Pierre Lavasseur (Daniel Auteuil) and his mistress, supermodel Elena (Alice Taglioni), have a lover's spat, unaware that the paparazzi are lurking. François walks into the frame at the nick of time; when the tabloid comes out, Pierre's clever lawyer (Richard Berry) realizes the only way to avoid Pierre and his wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) getting a major divorce is to have Elena live with François, pretending they're a real couple to throw everybody off.

It doesn't turn out as everyone would hope, however. François still longs for Emilie, and Emilie secretly feels the same, Elena is undecided on whether or not she wants to continue her relationship with Pierre, and Pierre's wife is much to intelligent to be fooled by the madcaps going on. By the end though, all will come to a tasty close.

"La Doublure" could be accused of being too light; truly there are no real conflicts to get in the way of everything. But from beginning to end, it's easily enjoyable, in a way that settles your appetite for an hour-and-a-half but you soon forget just a week later. But is there really any harm in that?

Francis Veber, one of France's most legendary comedy screenwriter's, directs the film with keen zip. It's hard to direct comedy, because if scenes drag or feel a bit too dramatic, things quickly can go downhill. Thanks to Veber's attentiveness, every second is bright, vibrant, and ultimately, funny.

Elmaleh, in the meantime, is quite an unusual lead -- though not very attractive and not possessing much comedic timing, he manages to have a good helping of neuroses that makes the screen eat up his frustrations. Taglioni is sexy, but doesn't constantly feel the need to remind us, like Brigitte Bardot. Auteuil as usual, is good; Thomas is even better as the ultra-smart wife who can't be messed with.

"La Doublure" is a filling French comedy that is wonderfully enjoyable. It may not be the funniest or best movie ever made, but it works.