The Dinner Game
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Predecessor | Le Dîner de Cons (theatrical play) |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Francis Veber |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | France |
Key people | Francis Veber (writer and director) |
| Products | Film |
The Dinner Game () is a 1998 French comedic motion picture both written and directed by Francis Veber, adapted from his theatrical work Le Dîner de Cons. It achieved the status of highest-grossing French film within France in 1998, placing second overall behind the blockbuster Titanic.
Plot
Pierre Brochant, a Paris-based publisher, regularly participates in a weekly gathering known as the "idiots' dinner," where influential businessmen bring along an unsuspecting "idiot"—an individual with an absurd pastime—to be discreetly mocked. The event concludes by selecting a "champion idiot."
With assistance from an "idiot scout," Brochant discovers François Pignon, an enthusiastic employee at the Finance Ministry who passionately crafts miniature landmark models from matchsticks. Soon after inviting Pignon, Brochant experiences intense back pain while playing golf. His wife, Christine, departs just before Pignon's arrival. Although initially eager to dismiss Pignon, Brochant finds himself reliant on him due to his injury and personal difficulties.
Brochant enlists Pignon’s help to track down Christine via telephone, but Pignon’s mistakes exacerbate the situation—he unintentionally exposes Brochant’s affair to Christine by contacting Marlene Sasseur, Brochant’s ex-mistress. Misinterpreting Marlene as Brochant’s sister because of her surname, Pignon invites her to assist in caring for Brochant. After Christine briefly returns but leaves again upon discovering the infidelity, Brochant asks Marlene to depart.
Suspecting Christine has gone back to his former best friend Juste Leblanc, Brochant instructs Pignon to impersonate a film producer calling Leblanc. However, Pignon mistakenly provides Leblanc with Brochant’s own number; Leblanc then calls back sympathetically and arrives to help locate Christine.
To obtain another potential lover’s address, Pignon invites tax inspector Lucien Cheval to Brochant’s residence, forcing Brochant to conceal valuables and risk exposure of his tax evasion. Cheval’s wife is also involved with the suspected lover, further complicating the situation.
Throughout the evening, Brochant reflects on his errors. Pignon tries to mend fences by calling Christine to explain Brochant’s efforts—ending things with Marlene, reconciling with Leblanc, and seeking forgiveness. Although Brochant is beside him, Pignon falsely claims he is calling alone. Christine hangs up uncertainly.
Brochant apologizes to Pignon and agrees they will attend the next idiots' dinner together, with Pignon as his chosen "idiot." When Christine later phones to discuss reconciliation, Pignon absentmindedly answers, causing her to hang up once more. The film concludes with Brochant blaming Pignon for ruining his life despite his softened demeanor.
Cast
- Jacques Villeret as François Pignon
- Thierry Lhermitte as Pierre Brochant
- Francis Huster as Juste Leblanc
- Daniel Prévost as Lucien Cheval
- Alexandra Vandernoot as Christine Brochant
- Catherine Frot as Marlène Sasseur
- Edgar Givry as Jean Cordier
- Daniel Russo as Pascal Meneaux
- Bernard Alane as Pascal Meneaux's voice
- Christian Pereirra as Dr. Sorbier
- Pétronille Moss as Mademoiselle Blond
Background
The initial theatrical production debuted on 18 September 1993 at the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris, featuring Jacques Villeret in the lead role and under the direction of Pierre Mondy. Following a successful run exceeding 900 performances, it embarked on a tour and continues to be revived periodically. The narrative draws parallels to Veber's earlier work L'Emmerdeur, portraying a scenario where a precise and orderly individual’s life is unsettled by a well-intentioned yet clumsy counterpart.
With ticket sales surpassing 9 million, Le Dîner de cons ranked as the second highest-grossing film in France during 1998, only behind Titanic. The recurring character name "François Pignon" is a hallmark in several of Veber's films, serving as a consistent thematic element throughout his oeuvre.
The film’s musical score was composed by Cosma and notably features the 1961 track "Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire" by Georges Brassens.
Critical response
Critics responded favorably to the film, which holds a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 46 reviews, alongside a Metacritic score of 73 from 19 critics, signifying "generally favorable reviews."
Reviewers emphasized the distinctive comedic tension created by a rational character who erroneously assumes an unlikely individual can integrate into their structured world. Villeret’s performance as Pignon received widespread acclaim for his expressive physical humor, skillfully combining childlike innocence with sudden emotional shifts that fuel the film’s comedic impact.
Accolades
During the 1999 César Awards, the film garnered six nominations and secured three wins: Best Actor awarded to Jacques Villeret, Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Prévost, and Best Original Screenplay or Adaptation credited to Francis Veber. It was also nominated for Best Film, Best Director (Veber), and Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Frot), although it did not achieve victories in these categories.
| Award / Film Festival | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| César Awards | Best Film | Template:Nom | |
| Best Director | Francis Veber | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actor | Jacques Villeret | Template:Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Daniel Prévost | Template:Won | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Catherine Frot | Template:Nom | |
| Best Original Screenplay or Adaptation | Francis Veber | Template:Won | |
| Goya Awards | Best European Film | Template:Nom | |
| Lumière Awards | Best Actor | Jacques Villeret | Template:Won |
| Best Screenplay | Francis Veber | Template:Won |
Soundtrack
Issued on January 17, 2000 by Larghetto, the soundtrack comprises compositions by Vladimir Cosma with performances from Philip Catherine, Romane, and the LAM Philharmonic Orchestra. Lasting approximately 40 minutes, it features a blend of orchestral arrangements and guitar-driven pieces that align with the film’s mood while enhancing its commercial appeal.
Adaptations
| Year | Title | Language | Principal Cast | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Bheja Fry | Hindi | Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Sarika | Sagar Ballary |
| 2008 | Mr. Garagasa | Kannada | Komal Kumar, Anant Nag, Aishwarya | Dinesh Baboo |
| 2010 | April Fool | Malayalam | Siddique, Jagadish, Navya Natarajan, Biju Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar | Viji Thampi |
| 2010 | Dinner for Schmucks | English | Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Stéphanie Szostak, Jemaine Clement, Lucy Punch, Zach Galifianakis, Bruce Greenwood | Jay Roach |