Film Review
Like so many of Jean Girault's so-called comedies,
Les Murs ont des oreilles looks as
if the script was knocked out in an afternoon and then rushed into
production the next day, to be directed by Girault blindfold.
Girault had a fair number of box office hits to his name, but this
success can mostly be put down to the popular appeal and sheer comic
genius of his principal collaborator, Louis de Funès, who could
make almost anything hilarious. Without the support of this giant
of comedy, Girault's mediocrity is exposed for all to see, as is
painfully apparent in
Les Murs ont
des oreilles, possibly his worst comedy. The word 'comedy'
is actually a total misnomer as the film isn't remotely funny and on
the few occasions where it does try to get a laugh it is gruesomely
inept, relying on cheap vulgarity as 1970s comedies tended to do.
Not only is the lead actor Louis Velle a poor substitute for Louis de
Funès, he is a poor substitute for an actor and you wonder how
any sane producer would allow such a bland individual to carry any
film. Velle and Girault had scored a hit just before this with
Le Permis de conduire (1974),
a similarly lacklustre comedy, but one that at least made an effort to
be funny. Lacking anything resembling an amusing premise,
Les Murs ont des oreilles was stone
dead before it went anywhere near a film camera, and you'll get more
laughs at a wake than by watching this low-grade comedy disaster.
© James Travers 2015
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Jean Girault film:
L'Année sainte (1976)
Film Synopsis
After breaking up with his wife Muriel, Guillaume, a successful writer,
moves into his new house in the country with his grown-up children,
Jean-Louis and Marion, and secretary Claudine. To his surprise,
Guillaume discovers that every room in his house is fitted with a
microphone, which allows him to eavesdrop on the conversations of his
household from the privacy of his study. This system proves to be
advantageous in dealing with his devious publisher, and he wonders if
he can use it to win back Muriel when she comes to visit
him...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.