C'est pas moi, c'est lui (1980)
Directed by Pierre Richard

Film Review

Pierre Richard doesn't quite live up to his reputation as a master of mirth in this lacklustre comedy, which he directed, co-scripted and starred in. Richard had already helmed four feature-length films, including the eminently watchable Le Distrait (1970) and Les Malheurs d'Alfred (1972). But by the time he came to make C'est pas moi, c'est lui, Richard's popularity was on the wane and within a few years his ability to draw massive audiences had all but deserted him. The film faired reasonably well at the box office, attracting 2.2 spectators, but this is modest compared with the 7.1 million achieved by La Chèvre (1981), in which Richard played second fiddle to a new star, Gérard Depardieu.

An inconsequential plot proves to be no more than a lame pretext for a series of comic situations, some of which work very well, others of which fail spectacularly.  The lack of imagination in the script is not reflected in Pierre Richard's performance which, as ever, is unceasingly entertaining.  The actor is however let down by a weak supporting cast, whose wooden contributions drag the film down to the level of a bargain basement farce.  Whilst there are one or two moments of hilarity (the best being the thieving camel sequence), overall it just fails to satisfy.

Film Synopsis

Georges Vallier owes his success as a celebrity screenwriter to his underpaid ghost writer Pierre Renard.  When Pierre protests at the way he has been exploited, Valier allows him to take his place at a garden party hosted by the Italian film star Aldo Barazzutti.  The latter invites Pierre to accompany him to Tunisia where they will work together on their next script.  Thinking this is just the opportunity he needs to make his career, Pierre accepts, having no idea of what adventures lie in store…