I'm sick and tired of French 'sex comedies' which for their humor really on tired stereotypes that are 'just jokes' for white, middle-class, straight Frenchies. This film is just one more example. Not only does it use a false 'reverse racism' storyline--that a minority will otherwise be kept in a job he is not qualified for--they also make light of some pretty serious contemporary anti-gay sentiments and actions, such as violent attacks. I don't like all of the stereotypes here that I have seen in so many French movies and comedies--the working-class homophobic buffoons, the not-very pretty secretary (as contrasted with the sexy one) who helps move the film forward. Maybe the fact that this film honestly was not that funny, even if you disregard the 'jokes', doesn't help.

Poor François Pignon is boring. When a staff reduction becomes necessary, he will be let go. Pignon is played by Daniel Auteuil, who I really liked in The Valet. He is one of the top French actors, having won a BAFTA and two Césars out of 12 nominations.He is commiserating when his meets his neighbor Belone, played by Michel Aumont, who has three César nominations himself for supporting roles, and was also in The Valet. He has a solution to Pignon's problem.Belone does some digital magic and sends photos to Pignon's office to make everyone think he is gay. The head of the company, played by Jean Rochefort, who has two Césars himself is afraid to fire him now, especially since they make condoms and don't want to offend some of their customers. Gérard Depardieu, who has an Oscar nomination, two BAFTA nominations, and an incredible 14 César nominations, with two wins, is the office homophobic, who must befriend Pignon out of fear of being fired himself for political incorrectness.Four of France's finest actors in one film is a real pleasure and a guarantee that it will be interesting.It really doesn't get into gay jokes. It is more about how people change. Depardieu is hilarious showing how sensitive he can be as his coworkers prod him to be more accepting.The film gets funnier, as his female co-workers believe the photos are fake and try to prove it.The company decides to use him and they put him on a float in the Gay Pride parade wearing a condom hat.Pignon may not be gay, but he turned into an interesting man after everyone's expectations of him changed. he even connected with his son. It was so funny.

This movie is everything that a light-hearted slice-of-life comedy should be. Auteiul and Depardieu turn in a respectable performances, but it's really the writing and directing that make this a class-one side-splitter. Granted, the storyline is a bit weak and filled with improbabilities and inconsistencies, but the gags are so brilliant and so well carried-off that it's tough to care. I can't remember when a movie has had me hee-hawing like this. It's certainly not for homophobes, francophobes or similar fascisti, but just about everyone else will be hard pressed not to fill a full year's laugh quotient in 90 minutes of Le Placard.

This is a funny film about a bland man (Daniel Auteuil) who is about to be fired from his job. Contemplating suicide, his new next-door neighbor convinces him not to and comes up with a scheme to prevent the firing--pretend to be gay and then they will be afraid to fire him for fear they will be accused of discrimination. This is especially bad in the eyes of the company chairman because it is a condom factory and they do NOT want to scare away all their gay customers. The job is saved, but a long series of events (good and bad) result in major unforeseen changes--some of which are very funny (such as his being asked to ride on the condom float at the gay pride parade) and some are pretty poignant (his getting beaten up for being gay). As a result of this and good writing, the film isn't predictable and is a lot of fun. Be assured, though, that this movie is not campy and over the top, nor is it super preachy--a nice mix that will satisfy anyone.PS--Gerard Depardieu plays a VERY unusual role in the film--at first you hate him and then it becomes pretty weird--just watch and see.