The Closet (Le Placard) (2001)

86% of critics liked it
(79 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(8,121 ratings)

While there are plenty of stories about gay men who have pretended to be straight for the sake of their careers, this tart comedy from France considers the dilemma of a straight man doing just the opposite. Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is an accountant whose personality is bland to the point of… More While there are plenty of stories about gay men who have pretended to be straight for the sake of their careers, this tart comedy from France considers the dilemma of a straight man doing just the opposite. Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is an accountant whose personality is bland to the point of being nonexistent; he's been down in the dumps ever since his wife left him two years ago, and he becomes even more depressed when he learns that his boss is planning on firing him after 20 years of loyal service. Francois is seriously considering suicide until his next-door neighbor Belone (Michel Aumont) comes up with a plan to save his career. Belone finds some photos snapped at an especially randy gay nightclub, and using his computer, he pastes Francois' face over that of one of the participants. He sends copies of the doctored picture to several of Francois' co-workers, and soon everyone at the office is convinced the quiet little man has a flamboyant secret life. The firm's CEO, Kopel (Jean Rochefort), now has second thoughts about firing Francois, since letting an employee go who is known to be gay could invite a sexual discrimination suit. Meanwhile, the firm's public relations man, Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte), is dealing with Felix (Gérard Depardieu), an employee relations executive who is well known as a narrow-minded thug. In order to counter charges that he's a rampant homophobe, Guillaume instructs Felix to make friends with Francois, and soon Felix is spending so much time with Francois (while fighting his own internal revulsion) that his wife wonders if he's seeing another woman. Le Placard was writer and director Francis Veber's first film after his international hit Le Diner de Cons -- in which the leading character was also named Francois Pignon. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Francis Veber
Written By: Francis Veber
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: May 4, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Nov 13, 2001
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
One reason that Veber's comic ideas are so effective is that, in addition to being very funny, they hit on the sort of sociological issues that people really do think about.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
While the generally sunny tone and faultlessly charming execution of the movie ... keeps things bubbling along, there's a cauldron churning somewhere beneath.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Perfectly built French tickler.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The level of acting elevates The Closet.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
A tour de farce from France's funniest filmmaker, Francis Veber.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Wins you over with its devastating simplicity.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
If one didn't know any better, one would think that French farceur Francis Veber's latest comedy as a just-unearthed relic from the '80s, given how it treats homosexuality as some sort of cutesy novelty.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...there are a number of sequences that would clearly benefit from a more broad sensibility (there's a scene that's virtually crying out for a spit take, for example).
Brandon Judell, Gay.com UK
all honours finally go to Veber, who has once again single-handedly changed the landscape of gay filmmaking, proving that gay subject matter can be financially successful without being condescending.
Tom Grealis, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Veber has created a film which manages to be both humorous and thought-provoking.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
... a gentle and astute minor comedy of manners
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A harmless, genial sitcom comedy that has little bite in its political and sexual agenda...

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Smart and funny, The Closet, is a good work of Veber, that don't leave without bring an anti-homophobia.
Bruce B

This movie is in French with English subtitles, Don't let that keep you from watching it. You will laugh from start to finish as Daniel Auteuil plays the part of a worker who is about to be fired from the company he works for, until he and his buddy dream up a plan to spread the… More
This movie is in French with English subtitles, Don't let that keep you from watching it. You will laugh from start to finish as Daniel Auteuil plays the part of a worker who is about to be fired from the company he works for, until he and his buddy dream up a plan to spread the rumor that he is gay, and send in pictures to his boss, well rumors fly and he gets boosted to the top. A enjoyable movie, worth the watch, very comical and very true of peoples nature. 5 stars
Nate H

It's hard to convey humor in subtitles, I think. Anyway, gay jokes are passé.
Matthew A

Though only watched it on French with English subtitles, I still found it funny. It's a very light, simple, yet interesting film with a genius humour and brilliant acting. PS: The little kittens were really cute.
Eduardo C

Stereotypical 'high concept' story is turned into a compulsively watchable, undeniably hilarious romp. Gerard Depardieu is absolutely priceless in his role. and most of the film's big laughs come from him and his character's arc. The film is ultimately fluff,… More
Stereotypical 'high concept' story is turned into a compulsively watchable, undeniably hilarious romp. Gerard Depardieu is absolutely priceless in his role. and most of the film's big laughs come from him and his character's arc. The film is ultimately fluff, unimportant, but nonetheless it is fluff done well. It was a very pleasant surprise, and the gags hold up on repeated viewings.