François Pignon is back! He might be ridiculous and clumsy, yet he’s lovable, caring and entertaining. After shining in The Closet (La Placard, 2001) and The Diner Game (Le Dîner de cons, 1998), we get to savor another instance of Pignon, this time as a parking valet, in the newest Francis Veber’s flick appropriately called The Valet (La Doublure, 2006).

Synopsis is simple. A billionaire CEO is snapped with a supermodel girlfriend. However, in paparazzo’s picture, there is one more element: innocent Pignon (Gad Elmaleh) who’s proposal was just turned down by his childhood sweetheart. The magnate (Daniel Auteuil), in a bid to save his marriage to a majority shareholder in his company, pays both Pignon and the supermodel Elena (Alice Taglioni) to move together and pretend they are a couple. Automatically, there’s a clash between different worlds, Elena’s rich haute couture and Pignon’s life in a seedy apartment and a crappy job. To spice things up, there’s a jealous tycoon, his sly wife and Pigeon’s ex (if you can call her so at all) who’s about to change her view on him.

This premise alone leaves Veber enough ammunition to create hilarious comedy and, being a craftsman par excellence, he doesn’t miss a shot.

It’s a comedy in the best tradition of French cinema. It’s not a heavy art, just airy fun that doesn’t pretend to be anything else, however backed by top grade performances by the cast. Go see it, if you like Veber or just want to sit back, relax and have a good time.