Le distrait

I saw this movie in the 70's as part of my French class field trip and "cultural experience". It was hilarious, I laughed until I cried. I've remembered it all these years and would love to see it again. I recommend it as Pierre Richard makes excellent use of props, especially chairs, to put the audience into hysterics.

That Pierre Richard is a comedic genius is beyond question, yet this laborious effort at light-hearted farce -- directed, co-written and starring PR, everybody's favorite Tall Blond Man -- is a misfire from start to finish. Strained physical comedy, double-take visual jokes that lack a point, one-dimensional supporting characters given little to do and the absence of any particular plot render this series of anecdotes an hour and a half you'll regret losing. PR himself is always amusing, and he has several moments here that will make you smile broadly. But the other 95% of his screen time is either mugging for mugging's sake, which gets old fast, or simply shtick -- which he sets up and performs far better in any other movie of his from the '70s-80s. Strictly for completists and the very easily entertained.

I wonder why Pierre Richard is so under estimated here in France ? This film, and also "les malheurs d'alfred", are among the ten best french comedies of the last three decades. Despite his 70's look, the movie is still so fresh and actual. Pierre Richard is somewhere between Jacques Tati and Jim Carrey. The soundtrack is also a classic. DAVID, La Rochelle, France

Richard played and directed this movie. Gags are nonsense and are quite hilarious. He has a lot to teach to new generation of comics. (For how long have I not seen a good comedy). He is in the same vein than Monthy Python or Peter Sellers with this extra French touch which makes him so loveable.

Pierre Richard could be the french cousin of Rowan Atkinson: both are comedy actors skilled in pantomime with Pierre being however more frenetic and twister like. Here there are some really great funny moments in which his absent mind brings chaos; but sometimes some jokes are much too long and for a result not that funny… So this movie is like a roller coaster: with up and down… I expected some nostalgic view of Paris in the 70s and there is little so I am unsatisfied ... but the movie being about the advertising world, we can have however a taste of what french society was in this decade. I also give good mention to his entourage: Blier is cool as his compromised boss and Preboit is as lunatic as Pierre so when the two are together, everything fails really hard!