Le Jouet (1976)
Directed by Francis Veber

Film Review

Having scripted such popular film comedies as Le Grand blond avec une chaussure noire (1972) and L'Emmerdeur (1973), Francis Veber made an impressive directorial debut with Le Jouet, a well-judged social satire which starred Pierre Richard, one of the most popular comic actors in France.  The film - which is probably Veber's most overtly political - takes a humorous look at the way employees can end up being subjugated by their powerful employers, effectively becoming toys to be bought, abused and later discarded on a whim.  The film probably had far more impact when it was released in the mid-1970s, when France was in the midst of a period of social and political unease and high unemployment.  However, the portrayal of a rich businessman as someone who heartlessly plays with people's lives for his own amusement is something which still strikes a chord, so the film remains highly relevant, and consequently very funny.

For a first film, Veber does an excellent job.  Whilst Le Jouet doesn't quite match up to the standard of some of his later films - for example, Le Dîner de cons (1998) - it is still a hugely entertaining and thought-provoking piece.  There's an unforgettable performance from Michel Bouquet, playing the apparently soulless Rambal-Cochet with chilling realism, although a note of conscience is just detectable in a few scenes.  Pierre Richard is surprisingly restrained in this portrayal of Veber's recurring hapless hero "F.P.", and the film is better for it.  Rather than going for quick and easy laughs (as happens in some of his less intelligent comedies), Richard's performance here is far more thoughtful and compassionate, an indication that beneath that zany comic exterior there lies an actor of real talent.

Like many of Francis Veber's films, Le Jouet was remade in America.  The Toy (1982), directed by Richard Donner and starring Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason, is entertaining fare but it has neither the irony nor true human feeling that makes the French original so likeable.

Film Synopsis

Unemployed for nearly two years, journalist François Perrin is all too eager to accept an offer of a job on a Parisian magazine.  His employer is the ludicrously wealthy Pierre Rambal-Cochet, who has a reputation for hiring and firing his staff on a whim.  François is making a tour of a huge toy store - another of Rambal-Cochet's businesses - when his boss's son Eric arrives and insists on taking him home and adding him to his vast collection of toys.  The store manager persuades François that he has no other choice but to humour the ten-year old boy, otherwise they will both lose their jobs.  Reluctantly, François allows himself to be packaged up and sent to the millionaire's home.  At first, the journalist is incensed at being reduced to the status of a plaything.  But then he realises what Eric's real game is and he decides to play along.  It is time to teach Pierre Rambal-Cochet a lesson...