Le Dîner de cons

Supercilious publisher Brochant (Lhermitte) needs a buffoon for his dining circle's 'idiot's dinner' party. Whoever sports the most exceptional idiot goes home triumphant, so Brochant can barely contain his pleasure at meeting slug-witted Pignon (Villeret), a well meaning but decidedly inane minion accountant blessed only with a gift for ornate matchstick modelmaking. As any fule might guess, Brochant won't be making it to the dinner; back strain leaves him stranded with his now unwanted guest in his Paris flat, just when his wife has decided to walk out in protest at his cruel games. A lowbrow French farce of the sort rarely exported to these shores, Veber's adaptation of his own stage comedy has nothing to offer by way of surprise or provocation, but it's deft as basic burlesque. The leads fill out their archetypes comfortably, the timing's well pitched, and the narrative moves busily enough. Cinematically, though, there's little of interest.