Les Clés du paradis (1991)
Directed by Philippe de Broca

Film Review

The unlikely double act formed by Gérard Jugnot and Pierre Arditi just about manages to salvage this lacklustre comedy, the two actors bringing to it a charm and authenticity that is patently lacking in the direction and screenplay. It's hard to believe the film was directed by Philippe de Broca, whose exuberant comedies have packed French cinemas and entertained audiences for the past three decades - earlier successes including L'Homme de Rio (1964), Le Roi de coeur (1966) and Le Magnifique (1973). By contrast, Les Clés du paradis is a stuttering, aimless comedy that doesn't so much gallop as drag itself along on a clapped out Zimmer frame, struggling to make much of its hackneyed life-swapping premise.

Pierre Arditi, who is associated with a more sophisticated kind of comedy (notably that of Alain Resnais) is amusing as the disillusioned Don Juan, and works surprisingly well alongside Gérard Jugnot, who, as ever, gives great value in another of his sympathetic everyman roles. Alas, the rest of the cast contribute very little, other than to underscore the mediocre quality of the script and direction. De Broca would show a surprising return to form with his next film, Le Bossu (1997), before plunging once again into the abyss with Amazone (2000).

Film Synopsis

Despite his success as a writer, Gaspard is bored with his life and, thanks to his ex-wife's over-generous alimony, is facing financial ruin.  In an attempt to recharge his batteries and escape from his latest amorous entanglement, he visits his brother Paul in Brittany.  Paul has problems of his own: he is soon to lose his job as a teacher and his marriage is heading for the rocks.  On a whim, the two brothers decide to swap lives: Paul will become the womanising writer, Gaspard the hapless down-trodden school teacher.  To the surprise of both men, the exchange proves to be extraordinarily beneficial...