Wednesday, January 14, 2009

L'aile ou la cuisse (1976)

The title means 'The wing or the drumstick". Louis de Funès is perhaps the funniest French actor ever. In this movie he plays Charles Duchemin, the brain behind the famous Duchemin Guide, a gastronomy guide book which rates restaurants in France. Duchemin can give to or take out stars from a restaurant. Only a few knows what he looks like. His son Gérard unfortunately is more interested in his circus business, where he plays a clown. Meanhile, Duchemin has to deal with Tricatel, who owns a big canned food factory. Tricatel tries to steal the draft for the this year's guide, so he knows which restaurants to buy. Soon, Duchemin will opposse Tricatel in "Anything Goes" - a popular talk show, and in the meantime they are trying to find each other's weakness. Duchemin finally finds that Tricatel produces fake meat, fish and vegetable in his factory. Interesting, for lately I received 'spam' about fake food made in China. Perhaps they've got their idea after watching this movie.

This is one of the best Funés works I've seen.

2 comments:

M. said...

What coincidences! I am also admirer of Louis de Funes! As well as he have been an actor of many movies, also brilliant in her mime, her tenderness, and her grumpy aspect.
There are many movies of him that are pretty, but, you right, this one is among the best.
Others of him are "The Soupe Aux Choux ", "Hibernatus", "Rabbi Jacob", etc, etc.
I like the music of the movie, and the famous clown Coluche, also. One sees that in some points the movie does a social critique on the food scrap. Or fast food, rather.

Inge said...

I've seen Rabbi Jacob, but it's not easy to find other Louis de Funès movies. I hope TV5 will show more soon.