THE DINNER GAME

1999

An hilarious comedy as only the French can do it, by the creators of "La Cage aux Folles." I dread what will happen to this story when Hollywood feels the need to redo it in English with Billy Crystal and Pierce Brosnan! The basic premise is that each week a group of upper-crust Parisian "gentlemen" have a dinner-party where each person must bring...an idiot. The French title is "Le diner des cons," (The Dinner of Assholes.) All facets of the Parisian personality are revealed in just 90 minutes: the sophistication, the unsuspected streak of meanness, the slightly off-center but hilarious sense of humor, the love of high-culture, the childish tendency toward slapstick, the warmth and sensitivity, and the humanity. One false note: judging from the view of the Eiffel Tower from the windows of this spectacular apartment, the main character lives in Napoleon's Tomb!

4 Stars

NJB

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