Dupontel's "Le Créateur" is a refreshing attempt at original directions in humor that put the director somewhat at odds with the French sensibility at comedy. However, this second movie is quite a disappointment for anybody who has seen "Barton Fink", Polanski's "The Tenant" or Roger Corman's "A Bucket of Blood".
The subject is certainly an assumed take on "Barton Fink" but the general mood is something of a mix between "Barton Fink" and "The Tenant". Polanski's movie from is almost ripped off, especially concerning the relationship between Darius and the other tenants in his building and the very dry and dark sense of humor.
Then the main attraction starts with the body count and I noticed the movie used the same exact progression as "A Bucket of Blood": an early accidental killing of a cat that leads to a killing spree.
Dupontel's movie swings back between these three references. Unfortunately, he isn't able to match any of them or combine them with some sort of grace. The most successful moments in his movies are actually short sequences coming out of left-field (generally involving religion) where Dupontel's taste for invention truly shines. Dupontel as a viewer clearly has good taste concerning movies. He still has some way to do to find real inspiration compared to excessive deference as a screenwriter and director. When he's able to do that, he could become a very interesting creator.
