"It’s a winner. Tais-Toi! has a certain sense of madness to it… Hilarious!" Frederic Strauss TELERAMA "Francis Veber, the old master of the easy comedy à la française, places Gérard Depardieu and Jean Reno before the camera. What comes out is a heap of foolishness, which is, which its meant to be. The result is much laughter. Voilà." Stefan Gubser FILMKRITIK GERMANY "Two impeccable actors…Tais -Toi! deserves to be talked about." Le Parisien "A really great surprise." La Tribune

What The Critics Say

"Reno & Depardieu are the perfect pair for a very funny buddy flick. It's not the funniest film I've seen but I must say it is very funny. "Tais Toi!" kept the laughs coming at regular intervals. The audience appeared to be savouring every moment. Depardieu is up to his old tricks working every moment for what it's worth and Reno is the perfect foil. Can't help but recommend this one. Never a dull moment. A really fun film!" Richard Surfield THE MOVIE PAGES "Tais-Toi! Is somewhere between those two greats, The Dinner Game and The Closet; and Les Fugitifs, L’Emmerdeur and The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe." Comedie Ph L "Tais-Toi!, a perfect twosome in a fantastic comedy. A winning combination… hilarious." Frederic Strauss TELERAMA

At A Glance There are plent of cinema-goers who probably know more about foreign language films than I do, but over the years I have managed to pickup on some very good films and become familiar with those who have been either cast or crew members. Now I'm not knocking the big hollywood blockbusters as they certainly are entertaining, but there's something very special about the good foreign language films. Many have gone on to become favourites of many of us while doing very well at the box office. The obvious ones are films like "Chocolat", "Crouching Tiger:Hidden Dragon", "No Mans Land", "Talk To Her" "Goodbye! Lenin", "The Closet", "Amelie", "Malena" and "The Barbarian Invasions". One name that stands out when it comes to great foreign language films is Frabncis Veber the prolific writer and acclaimed director, remembered by many movie fans for the english version of "The Birdcage" which starred Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane and the Screen Actors Guild Award winning performance of Hank Azaria as Agador Spartucus. More recently many of us had the pleasure of seeing Veber's film "Le Closet" starring Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu and the beautiful Michèle Laroque. Some of the stars from "Le Closet" [The Closet" join forces again to appear in Veber's latest snap, crackle and pop comedy "Tais Toi!". A film I have no hesitation in recommending. And, I must admit it was a real pleasure to sit in with an audience that didn't give a stuff about sub-titles or the fact that "Tais Toi!" is a foreign language film. In fact, believe me readers, "Tais Toi!" is a joy, a breeze to sit through.
Rejoining Veber in the cast from The Closet is Gérard Depardieu as Quentin. He is teamed with Jean Reno [recently seen in the delightful romantic comedy,"Jet Lag"] and you couldn't think of two actors more diametrically opposed both in demeanour or in the two characters they play in "Tais Toi!". But Veber knows his stuff and these two work well together. Reno is of course the straight guy and Depardieu is the clown. One can't help but laugh at the thought of these two appearing together. Reno is so serious and Depardieu can really clown around. Once again Reno is sporting that rugged five o'clock shadow [his signature look which is as recognizable as Michael Caines horn rimmed glasses and cockney accent], while Depardieu sports a new hairstyle obvious designed to raise eyebrows and many a laugh too. Many will recognize the familiar face of Jean-Pierre Malo as Vogel and his opposite number Richard Berry as Inspector Vernet [who is having as much luck with his police officers as Chief Insp Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) did with Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in "The Pink Panther" films]. And see if you can spot an appearance by Michel Aumont, also from "The Closet".
You know, I'm going to be a bit of a tease with "Tais Toi" because it would be so easy to reveal everything I found funny and by doing so, spoil your experience. Let me in closing put these few points across in support of "Tais Toi!". Funny? Very funny!!! Enjoyable? Very enjoyable. It's simple and never drags. From car chases to shootouts, to some of the silliest but very funny comedy scenes. Scenes which reminded me at the time of the classic styles of Laurel & Hardy or the Three Stooges. The good news is there is nothing confronting or demanding here. All Veber wants us to do is have fun. And you will. Trust me, I'm a critic!! [Just messing with you folks] Well what are you waiting for? Cast and Crew Bytes "Tais Toi!" was directed and written by Francis Veber ["Knock On Wood", "Three Fugitives", "The Dinner Game" and "The Closet"] who also wrote the screenplays for "The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe" [1974], "La Cage aux folles" [1978], "The Bird Cage" [1996], "Dead Letter Office" [1998] and"The Dinner Game [1998], produced by Saïd Ben Saïd ["Total Western", "Loin" and "The Daltons"], edited by George Klotz ["Double Destiny", "And Now My Love", "The Field Agent" and "Dead Letter Office"] with original music by Marco Prince ["Total Western" and "The Pharmacist"].
"Tais Toi!" stars Jean Reno ["Nikita", "Mission Impossible", "Godzilla", "The Crimson Rivers" and "Ronin"] Gérard Depardieu ["Nathalie Granger", "Bogus", "Le Closet", "City Of Ghosts" and "Crime Spree"], Jean-Pierre Malo [L' Amour des femmes", "Death on a Rainy Sunday", "Nothing But Lies" and "Picture Perfect"], Leonor Varela ["Les Infortunes de la beauté", "The Tailor of Panama", "Texas Rangers" and "Blade II"], André Dussollier ["The Slap", "The Model Couple", "The Trap" and "A Crime In Paradise"], Michel Aumont ["The Woman In Blue", "The Twisted Detective", "The King Of Jerks" and "The King Of Paris"] and Richard Berry ["First Voyage", "Love Crime", "The Big Carnival" and "Return To Algiers"] as Inspector Vernet.
The Story Quentin is a small time crook whose career is suffering due to a distinct lack of brainpower. Ruby is having an affair with gang boss Vogel's wife Sandra. Quentin robs bank. Ends up in jail. Ruby robs Vogels gang who have held an amoured car. Ends up in jail. Quentin has a very annoying habit. The dimwit is too friendly, he talks too much. Quentins been in five cells, ended up in five fights and his cell mates are now recovering in the prison infirmary. Ruby won't talk. He just stares blankly at his cell wall. Then Inspector Vernet has a brainwave. Why not put Quentin in with Ruby. Maybe the moron can loosen his tongue. But something strange happens. Quentin bonds with Ruby. He genuinely likes the guy. It's all too much for Ruby, he slashes his wrists and ends up in the infirmary. Not to be left on his own Quentin follows suit and much to Ruby's dismay ends up in an ajoining bed. But Ruby is smart. He's planning to move into the loonie bin and make an escape. If only he could shake off the friendly giant. Once inside the psychiatric ward Ruby sets a plan in motion. Unknown to him Quentin is planning to get them both out. Just when freedom is staring Ruby in the face Quentin's plan goes into action. But freedom with a partner, whom Ruby suspects is a cop, isn't easy. Everything goes wrong. The cops are on their tail. The crooks are breathing down their necks. Ruby wants Vogel dead. Vogel wants his money and then Ruby's dead. The Inspector wants the money and both men alive. Quentin just wants his buddy. It's going to be a frantic, chaotic time on the run. But how far can Ruby and Quentin run? The Verdict "This really is a fun film. "Tais Toi! is fast paced and very funny. The laughs just keep coming. From a cross eyed horse to fugitives in drag, car chases and shootouts, every situation is filled with laughs. If you missed "Le Closet" make sure you see "Tais Toi!" another very funny Francis veber film. It's criminal a film like "Tais Toi!" could be so enjoyable." The Cast

Gérard Depardieu Jean Reno André Dussollier Jean-Pierre Malo Richard Berry Jean-Michel Noirey Laurent Gamelon Aurélien Recoing Vincent Moscato Ticky Holgado Leonor Varela Loïc Brabant Michel Aumont Edgar Givry

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Quentin Ruby Psychiatre Vogel Inspector Vernet Lambert Mauricet Rocco Raffi Martineau Katia/Sandra Jambier Nosberg Vavinet

The Crew Directed by Francis Veber Production Manager Gerard Gaultier Director of Photography Luciano Tovoli Set Photographer Domonique Le Strat Sound Operator Bernard Bats Costume Designer Jaquueline Bouchard Key Make-up Artist Turid Follvik Production Designer Dominique Andre Special Effects Director Frederic Moreau Post Production Manager Abraham Goldblat Editor George Klotz Run Time 87 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Sharmill Films - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved