Tais-Toi! /
(Ruby & Quentin) (M)

by Francis Veber

Few French screenwriters have been as internationally popular as Francis Veber, and few write farcical comedy as well. Veber, who is both a playwright and director, has enjoyed international popularity ever since the Oscar-winning success of La Cage Aux Folles and his recent offerings The Dinner Game and The Closet have firmly positioned him in a league of his own.

In his latest film Tais-toi!, also known by its alternative and more polite English title, Ruby and Quentin, Veber returns to his popular farcical style of the '70s, employing an unsurprising but enduringly funny comedy technique - the odd couple.

Ruby, played by a superbly grim and silent Jean Reno, is a brooding loner of a criminal with one thing on his mind - revenge. Quentin, on the other hand, has nothing on his mind. In a gloriously ridiculous performance, Gerard Depardieu, is the garrulous and gentle giant Quentin, who drives everyone mad with his incessant and mindless chatter.

The two end up sharing a cell, which seems to suit them both. Ruby never says a word and Quentin is convinced that since Ruby hasn't tried to kill him he must be his best friend. After Quentin manages to pull off a clumsy but surprisingly successful escape - so successful that Ruby is convinced Quentin is working for the police - Quentin is beside himself. No one has ever accused him of being smart before -- and now, like it or not, Quentin and Ruby are friends for life. The duo set out to reclaim the money Ruby has hidden and exact revenge on his former partner.

Tais-toi! is pure vaudevillian fun, characterized by charming, warm and upbeat humour and wonderful performances from Reno and Depardieu, who continues to surprise with his versatility.

France - 2003 -. Comedy - 85 mn.- French with English subtitles
Director: Francis Veber
Script: Francis Veber
With:  Jean Reno, Gérard Depardieu, André Dussolier, Edgar Givry, Ticky Holgado
Distributor in Australia: Sharmill Films