"The Dinner Guest" directed by Laurent Bouhnik [review]

Abstract

Daniel Auteuil, the ubiquitous French actor who is as talented as he is prolific, has spent at least twenty years now as an A-list performer in his native country. Making quite an impression as the love-struck country bumpkin in the much-loved Jean de Florette (1986), and making many films over the years with his wife Emmanuelle Beart, Auteuil has lately been seen in everything from touching stories of disability (The Eighth Day) to unnerving psychological thrillers (Hidden) and gorgeous romantic comedies (Apres Vous). Here, working with three other skilled performers, Auteuil is in fluffy comic territory, but, sadly, both script and director Laurent Bouhnik have let him down.