The premise is gloriously evil: Pierre Brochand, a rich asshole, plays a cruel game with friends. They hold dinner parties, to which each brings a guest. Each of the guests is carefully selected by Brochand and his friends. They have strict criteria. Each man is striving for his guest to be the biggest idiot. They find geeks, dorks, freaks, morons, men with unusual hobbies, and let them talk freely while Brochand and his friends sit back and quietly laugh at them. On this particular week, Brochand thinks he has a winner: a government employee who builds models with matchsticks. And talks about them. Incessantly. Monsieur Francois Pigneon.
As the other idiots and their minders assemble, three things happen: Brochand throws out his back, stranding him in the apartment. Brochand's wife, who's been struggling with depression and having Brochand as a husband, walks out. And Francois Pigneon shows up at Brochand's apartment, eager to help in any way he can.
For Pierre Brochand, the night is all downhill from there.
It is my favorite comedy, and one of the best comedic films I've ever seen, up there with Lubitsch's TO BE OR NOT TO BE. It's gloriously funny, and watching Brochand get his comeuppance is a great joy. I'm guessing Cohen will play Pigneon, and he'll be great in it (though I'd always thought of Danny Devito in the role originated by the late Jacques Villeret, as they strongly resemble each other and have a similar vibe). The trick is finding the perfect straight man to play opposite him. Brochand should not be a funny man. He has to be somebody you're envious of -- until you get to know him. Michael Douglas would be perfect.
