Movie spotlight
Les gros malins
Paul Blanc runs a butcher's shop with his Neapolitan wife, the vivacious Giulia. One night, thanks to sleeping pills received from his brother in Argentina, he dreams of horse racing and sees in his dream the order of arrival of the horses. Giulia praises her husband's gift at the local café. But the turfmen dissuade her from betting on the nags chosen by Paul, who they consider to be real losers! But her vision proves to be right. When her secret is discovered, everyone wants to buy this miracle medicine. But the product is no longer manufactured, as it is considered dangerous and has been banned by the authorities.
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Plot Summary
When a young man inherits a large fortune, his greedy relatives concoct a scheme to get their hands on his money. They hire a group of con artists to impersonate potential heirs and convince him to invest in a fake business venture. However, their plan begins to unravel when the young man proves to be more cunning than they anticipated, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and unexpected twists.
Critical Reception
Les gros malins, also known as 'The Big Rascals' or 'The Swindlers', was a moderately successful comedy in France, typical of Louis de Funès' popular films of the era. While not critically acclaimed by international standards, it was a crowd-pleaser for its slapstick humor and de Funès' signature comedic performance. Audiences appreciated the lighthearted entertainment and the familiar comedic formula.
What Reviewers Say
Louis de Funès delivers his trademark physical comedy and eccentric character.
The plot, while simple, provides ample opportunities for humorous situations and misunderstandings.
A lighthearted and enjoyable comedy for fans of French slapstick.
Google audience: Audience reception in France was generally positive, with viewers enjoying the comedic antics of Louis de Funès and the predictable but entertaining storyline. It's considered a classic example of French popular comedy from the late 1960s.
Fun Fact
This film reunited Louis de Funès with director Jean Girault, who had previously collaborated on several successful comedies, including 'Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez'.
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