Association de malfaiteurs (1987)
Directed by Claude Zidi

Film Review

One of France's most successful mainstream film directors, Claude Zidi frequently dabbled with the comédie policière or comedy-thriller genre, most famously with his hugely popular Ripoux films starring Philippe Noiret and Thierry Lhermitte. This is arguably the genre that Zidi dealt most effectively with, the results being far more satisfying than his earlier Charlot comedies (Les Bidasses en folie) and variable Coluche films (Banzaï). Association de malfaiteurs is one of Zidi's most enjoyable offerings in the comedy-thriller line, not least because it has an excellent cast and an imaginative, pacy story replete with amusing comic situations.

François Cluzet and Christophe Malavoy bring class and gravitas to the film, and for two actors who are better known for their serious dramatic roles, both show a surprising flair for comedy. Claire Nebout, a former dancer turned actress, has an arresting presence as the obligatory femme fatale - she would subsequently attain greater prominence through her roles in two of the big period pieces of the 1990s: Edouard Molinaro's Beaumarchais, l'insolent (1996) and Philippe de Broca's Le Bossu (1997). Admittedly, there are a few places where the plot runs away with itself and the humour tips over into silliness, but overall Association de malfaiteurs is an enjoyable romp - one of Zidi's most entertaining and liveliest films.

Film Synopsis

Thierry, Gérard and Francis have all managed to make a success of their lives but their college friend Daniel only succeeds in getting himself into trouble with his get rich quick schemes.  Again and again, Daniel has roped his friends into his ill-conceived deals, always with the same disastrous result.  Now it is time for the sensible ones to have some fun at Daniel's expense, by making him believe he has a winning lottery ticket.  They should have known better.  Convinced he is now a rich man, Daniel gets himself hitched to a dodgy development contract with the unscrupulous financier Bernard Hassler.  As the contract has no escape clause, Daniel's three friends have no option but to come to his aid - which means stealing the safe containing the comprising documents.  To their surprise, the safe contains a king's ransom in banknotes.  Things go from bad to worse when Bernard reports the theft of the safe to the police...