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The Closet

Play trailer Poster for The Closet R 2001 1h 24m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil), an accountant for a rubber factory, is about to be fired, he spreads a rumor that he's gay so that the company will be afraid to fire him, lest they come under fire for sexual discrimination. The ruse quickly becomes a challenge, starting when a burly homophobe (Gérard Depardieu) befriends Pignon to also keep his own job for the opposite reason.
The Closet

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A pleasant comedy with a great cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 06/19/2003
1.5/4
While there are laughs to be had, on a whole Veber's new film is an unfunny and offensive disaster, wasting a truckload of rich comedic talent in the process. Go to Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel 07/20/2001
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. Go to Full Review Geoff Pevere Toronto Star 07/18/2001
While the generally sunny tone and faultlessly charming execution of the movie ... keeps things bubbling along, there's a cauldron churning somewhere beneath. Go to Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) 04/30/2024
A-
If some situations strain credulity, it's still a rare comedy that will make us laugh and get us to think. Go to Full Review Howard Feinstein The Advocate 05/24/2022
This witty film courageously takes on the corporate world in all its greed and prejudice. And wins. Go to Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com 02/10/2009
1.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stéphane O @Stefffent 02/06/2022 Bien drôle, ce petit film. Cocasse, sympathique, bien joué! See more camille l @RT76374992 06/26/2017 Le Placard est souvent drôle, un mélange entre caricature du monde du rugby (on notera la présence de Vincent Moscato), dialogues réjouissants souvent déclamés par un excellent Gérard Depardieu et une intrigue simple et concise. Mais Le Placard se complaît aussi un peu trop souvent dans une histoire dramatique absolument inintéressante au possible entre Daniel Auteuil et Alexandra Vandernoot qui y joue son ex-femme. A chaque fois qu'elle ou Stanislas Forlani (qui y joue son fils) est à l'écran, le film est à la limite du supportable. Heureusement, ce n'est qu'une petite fraction du film, surtout dans la deuxième partie, ce qui fait que ce Placard n'est finalement pas un mauvais divertissement du tout. See more 05/20/2016 It did get me laughing at some parts but after I finished watching it, I don't find any true meaning to this movie. I guess this is just a lighthearted movie for those with some time to kill. See more 06/01/2015 Smart & hilarious, why can't American gay flicks be as good? See more 04/12/2015 To prevent losing his job, Francois decided to pretend to be gay with the help from his industrial psychologist neighbour. Life goes from bad to good as he does so, but with hilarious result. Le Placard is a smart comedy to satirize the affirmative action policy. I especially love the set design, it was simply exquisite. See more 09/14/2014 Great French comedy, in the fashion of great French films. Quiet funny. See more Read all reviews
The Closet

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Cast & Crew

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Francis Veber

Director

Daniel Auteuil

Francois Pignon

Gérard Depardieu

Félix Santini

Thierry Lhermitte

Guillaume

Michèle Laroque

Mlle Bertrand

Michel Aumont

Belone

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The Closet

Director Francis Veber on the set of THE CLOSET. Daniel Auteuil and Gérard Depardieu in Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. Michel Aumont with Daniel Auteuil in Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. Daniel Auteuil in a scene from Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. Daniel Auteuil and Michéle Laroque in Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. Thierry Lhermitte and Gérard Depardieu in Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil in Francis Veber's THE CLOSET. The Closet (2001) The Closet (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil), an accountant for a rubber factory, is about to be fired, he spreads a rumor that he's gay so that the company will be afraid to fire him, lest they come under fire for sexual discrimination. The ruse quickly becomes a challenge, starting when a burly homophobe (Gérard Depardieu) befriends Pignon to also keep his own job for the opposite reason.
Director
Francis Veber
Producer
Alain Poiré
Screenwriter
Francis Veber, Francis Veber
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Gaumont, Miramax
Rating
R (Scene of Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 29, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.7M
Runtime
1h 24m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo