TAIS-TOI!/ RUBY AND QUENTIN
France, 2003, 85 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Depardieu, Jean Reno, Richard Berry, Andre Dussollier, Michel Aumont.
Directed by Francis Veber.
Tais Toi! sounds so polite to the non-French ear. It almost sounds affectionate it its familiar use of ‘toi’, the way of addressing close friends. Don’t be misled. It means, ‘Shut up!’.
Would you enjoy a comedy called, ‘Shut up’? The answer is yes. An even bigger ‘yes’, if you see it with an ordinary paying audience who are not embarrassed to guffaw at times. Even though there was scarcely a ripple at the film critics’ preview, I did hear the projectionist telling a mate who had just arrived that it was the funniest film he had seen in ages.
Of course, tastes differ. But Tais Toi should cover most tastes.
Apart from some funny scenes and funny lines (even in the sub-titles), what does it have to commend it?
First of all the stars are first-rate. Gerard Depardieu is a hero at home. Despite his huge and sometimes scruffy and ungainly appearance, he can take on any role and be convincing. By this stage, he has made enough international films to make him a familiar name. Here, he plays Quentin, a simple soul from the Paris suburbs, a born optimist, even though he has survived by stealing and stints in prison. And he talks, talks, talks and drives people, including his psychiatrist, crazy.
Obviously he is the one on the receiving end of ‘shut up!’.
Jean Reno might not be a household name but he is a familiar face outside France where he too is a top star.
From Mission Impossible to The Da Vinci Code, he is an international performer. Here he is Ruby, a taciturn killer and thief.
Obviously he is one on the giving end of ‘shut up!”.
For most of the film they are on the run from the police and a criminal gang. It is their oddball escapades and the contrast of characters which provide the fun – and, by the end, some feeling.
It is written by Francis Veber who has done a lot of comedies about odd couples and directed Diner des Cons and The Closet.
1. The title, the term, in relationship to Quentin, in relationship to Ruby?
2. The work of the director, his writings, his skill in farce, contrasting characters, witty dialogue and comedy?
3. The French locations, the city, the street, criminals on the run? The musical score?
4. Gerard Depardieu as Quentin? The initial robbery, ineffectual, asking directions for the bank, going to the cinema, Ice Age and his staying to enjoy it? Continually talking, extreme extrovert, in the cells with the prisoners, finding himself with Ruby? The talk, the suicide attempts, real and fake? The two in adjacent beds in the hospital?
5. Ruby, criminal, his attitude towards Vogel, the crime lord, the affair with his wife, the money, hiding it, going to jail? The hunger strike, not speaking? Interactions with the psychologist and the understanding? The fake suicide? In the cell with Quentin and his incessant talk, in hospital in the adjacent bed? Desperate?
6. The psychologist, the contact with Vogel, Ruby’s escape, Quentin and his friend helping, the crane?
7. The world of the criminals, Vogel, his bodyguards, the taking of the cars, the pursuit?
8. Ruby and Quentin, together, the odd couple? The robbery, the horse trainer? The disguise, the Chanel clothes? The young men, the stealing of the cars, Ruby wounded in the shoulder, Quentin?
9. Ruby, the woman, putting her in the hotel?
10. The car chase, Vogel, Quentin wounded, Ruby sorry, Quentin’s recovery – and persuading Ruby to help him invest in establishing the cafe?
