Signes extérieurs de richesse (1983)

Signes extérieurs de richesse is a French comedy romance film first released in 1983, directed by Jacques Monnet.  The film stars Claude Brasseur, Josiane Balasko, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Roland Giraud and Xavier Saint-Macary.  Our overall rating for this film is: mediocre.


Jean-Jacques Lestrade is one of Paris’s most sought-after veterinary surgeons, and his success allows him to enjoy the highlife – which comprises expensive cars, a lavish apartment, luxury holidays and a greedy ex-wife.  Unfortunately, his playboy lifestyle is paid for largely by wilful tax evasion.  A somewhat overzealous tax inspector, Béatrice Flamand, is about to bring his world crashing down…

A top-notch cast makes this lacklustre comedy more appealing than it deserves to be - although it’s pretty obvious that the film doesn’t get even close to exploiting the comic potential of its subject.  The story takes a while to get moving after a far from promising start, but the jokes are worth waiting for when (like an order in a busy Parisian restaurant) they finally arrive.  The film’s weaknesses stem mainly from its script - too many subplots, too many clichéed characters, and an uncertainty as to whether this is meant to be a farce or romantic comedy.  Fortunately, the acting makes up for this – Claude Brasseur, Josiane Balasko and Jean-Pierre Marielle are all on fine form and together they prevent the plodding narrative from drying up.

© James Travers 2007

Write a review for this film...


What do you think of this film?

More French Comedy
More French Romance
Recent DVD releases