Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
A man spreads the rumor of his fake homosexuality with the aid of his neighbor, to prevent his imminent firing at his work.
The Closet (Le Placard) is a breezy French workplace comedy with a clever central premise—a dull accountant faking homosexuality to keep his job—that generates genuine laughs and some sharp social satire about corporate hypocrisy and homophobia. The plot is well-constructed and moves efficiently, and Daniel Auteuil and Gérard Depardieu deliver solid, likable performances. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable for a comedy of this type. The concept, while not entirely without precedent, is executed with enough wit and Gallic charm to feel distinctive without being groundbreaking. The ending is satisfying and ties things up neatly, though it doesn't surprise. A crowd-pleasing minor gem that lands around its reputation.