A nobody learns the world runs on lies—so he becomes the best liar of all.
Emile Magis, a modest employee, more or less ostracized by the others, would like only one thing, to be happy. Little by little he realizes that life in society is a matter of convention, lies and deception. When he has understood that cynicism rules the world, he decides to play by its untold rules and to take his revenge.
Acting
Guy Bedos's deadpan descent into calculated chaos.
Writing
Dialogue that stings because you've lived it.
Director
Jean Herman
Guy Bedos
Emile Magis
Jean Rochefort
Victor Dugommier
Marie Dubois
Hortense Berthoullet
Michel Galabru
Gaston Berthoullet
Bernadette Lafont
Rose
Renaud Mary
General advocate
Lyne Chardonnet
Charlotte Berthoullet
Catherine Hubeau
Lucie Berthoullet
Alexandre Rignault
Uncle Émile
Renée Gardès
Aunt Picolette
Denise Péron
Magis' mother
Maurice Risch
Gustave
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during France's post-1968 disillusionment, the film channels the era's souring idealism into bitter office comedy.
Bedos and Rochefort's real-life friendship offscreen adds venom to their onscreen power dynamic—Rochefort reportedly loved playing the smug superior.
FR
