Although it has elements of the dubious morality that obtained in the seventies overall this is a gentle charmer from the screenplay by Jean- Loup Dabadie through the direction of Yves Robert through the ensemble acting led admirably by Jean Rochefort. I haven't seen the Hollywood remake so I am unable to compare and contrast, I have, however, seen sufficient Hollywood remakes of French comedies - including one actually written by the great Francis Veber, i.e. adapting his own French screenplay for Hollywood - to know they seldom, if ever, live up to the original let alone eclipse it. The plot has elements of The Seven Year Itch and Dabadie acknowledges this by having the fantasy object stand over an air vent which blows her dress up; the difference is that in The Seven Year Itch there was only one male lead (Tom Ewell) and the object of his fantasy (Marilyn Monroe) whereas here Jean Rochefort has three male buddies all experiencing female trouble. Overall a pleasant, entertaining soufflé.
Review of Pardon Mon Affaire
