À gauche en sortant de l'ascenseur (1988)
Directed by Edouard Molinaro

Film Review

Comedy genius Pierre Richard is on fine form in this convoluted but thoroughly entertaining bedroom farce, directed by Edouard Molinaro. À gauche en sortant de l'ascenseur doesn't quite have the broad appeal of Molinaro's previous comedies (Oscar (1967), L'Emmerdeur (1973)), but it has stood the test of time better than his monument to political incorrectness, La Cage aux folles (1978).

The film is a boisterous adaptation of a successful stage play entitled L'Amuse-gueule by Gérard Lauzier which ran for one year in Paris, in 1986, and starred Daniel Auteuil.  Although the narrative does get somewhat repetitive and overly complicated in a few places, the exuberant performances from Richard and his magnificent co-stars - Richard Bohringer, Emmanuelle Béart and Fanny Cottençon - just keep the comedy rolling.  The star of the film is the door to Pierre Richard's apartment, which supplies most of the laughs and even gets an on-screen credit (it's not the first time an inanimate piece of wood masquerading as an actor has had that honour).

This was one of the last great Pierre Richard comedies. His popularity now on the wane, the actor would have to content himself with supporting roles in the bulk of his subsequent films, something which gave him the opportunity to expand his repertoire substantially and allow him to take on a far more interesting range of roles.

Film Synopsis

Yan, a successful artist, is waiting for his date, Florence, to turn up at his apartment.  His doorbell rings and on his doorstep he finds another young woman, his neighbour Eva, dressed in her underwear.  She tells him she has just locked herself out of her apartment and insists that he helps her.  Whilst trying to enter Eva's apartment via their adjoining balcony, the phone rings.  It is Florence, and she is not impressed when a half-naked young woman answers the phone.  At this point, Eva's rabidly jealous boyfriend Boris returns home and, seeing Yan in his apartment, deduces that Eva has been having an affair behind his back.  Florence then turns up and Yan tries in vain to explain the situation.  By chance, Florence's husband suddenly puts in an appearance.  After that, it all starts to get a bit complicated...