After hiding his loot and getting thrown in jail, brooding outlaw Ruby befriends Quentin, a dim-witted and garrulous giant. After Quentin botches a solo escape attempt, they make a break together. Unable to shake the clumsy Quentin, Ruby is forced to take him along as he pursues his former partners in crime to avenge the death of the woman he loved and get to the money.
Acting
Reno's simmering rage vs. Depardieu's puppy-like oblivion — chef's kiss.
Writing
Veber's dialogue turns irritation into genuine pathos.
Director
Francis Veber
Gérard Depardieu
Quentin
Jean Reno
Ruby
Richard Berry
Commissioner Vernet
André Dussollier
Prison psychiatrist
Jean-Pierre Malo
Vogel
Leonor Varela
Katia / Sandra
Jean-Michel Noirey
Lambert
Laurent Gamelon
Mauricet
Aurélien Recoing
Rocco
Vincent Moscato
Raffi
Ticky Holgado
Martineau
Michel Aumont
Nosberg
Loïc Brabant
Jambier
Arnaud Cassand
Bourgoin
Edgar Givry
Vavinet
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Veber essentially remade his own 1986 film 'Les Fugitifs' but swapped the power dynamic — here the talkative one chases the silent criminal instead of vice versa.
Depardieu and Reno had already played brothers in 'Les Anges gardiens' (1995), making their chemistry here feel like decades of inside jokes.
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