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Légère et court vêtue
1953 Comedy
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Credits
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Director: Jean Laviron
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Script: Jean Guitton, Jean Laviron
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Photo: André Germain
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Music: Daniel White
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Cast: Madeleine LeBeau (Jacqueline Lorette),
Jean Parédès (Gaëtan),
Jacqueline Pierreux (Simone),
Pierre Destailles (Jacques Lorette),
Nicole Jonesco (Hélène),
Jacques-Henry Duval (Pierre Plouvier),
Louis de Funès (Paul Duvernois),
Charles Bayard (L'homme dans la salle d'attente),
Guy Henry (Un infirmier de l'asile),
Albert Rémy (Henri)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 88 min; B&W
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Summary
Jacques Lorette, a workaholic lawyer, considers himself fortunate to have a faithful wife,
Jacqueline. At least he does so until the day when a stranger walks into his office
and hands him 300 thousand francs to atone for having had an affair with Jacqueline for
the past two years. Outraged, Lorette engages the next man he sees - Paul Duvernois
– as a private detective to follow his wife’s every move. The lawyer is not
please to learn that Jacqueline has indeed been seeing another man - Pierre – although
the relationship has until now been platonic. Whilst Pierre has a girlfriend who
is keen to marry him, he is actually in love with Jacqueline, and so he is delighted when
the latter turns up on his doorstep having being thrown out by her jealous husband.
Jacqueline is right to think that she and Pierre are caught up in some kind of game -
but who is moving the pieces and why...?
Review
There are plenty of laughs to be had in this galloping French farce – even if the plot
does become convoluted and frankly a bit potty towards the end. It’s a very familiar
set up – a marital rift caused by a silly misunderstanding that gets totally blown up
out of proportion – but a few unexpected plot twists and the spirited contributions from
an ebullient cast make it fresh and appealing. In one of his first substantial supporting
roles, Louis de Funès shows that unerring talent for comedy (note the trademark
grimaces, voices and hand business) that will ultimately make him an icon of French cinema.
None of his co-stars in this film would enjoy the immortality he achieved, although some
deserve to be better remembered than they are - Madeleine LeBeau and Jean Parédès
certainly.
© James Travers 2006
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