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  • Based on a previous comment I started to watch the movie with a positive attitude. And indeed it starts wonderfully with a well cast group of actors.

    The movie is about a dentist who hurts himself during a hunting trip and can not work for several months. Then the replacements enters and life changes for everyone.

    Up to this point the movie is marvelous, but after this it was illogical or unclear to me why everything happened like it happened. Yes the development of the wife is a nice touch. But why does the replacement who is a very strange person when he walks in, such a likable and very communicative person by the end? In short a 7/10 for the beginning but a 4 for the end. Overall I would not recommend it and there award a 5.
  • jotix10025 August 2011
    Warning: Spoilers
    The introduction to this story takes place while two friends, Daniel and Marc, are hunting for some game in the mountains. Daniel Vaimer is startled by what he feels is a big animal; he falls and injures his shoulder. The injury proves to be more than annoying because of his profession; Daniel is a dentist. Visiting Marc, who is a surgeon, the verdict is an operation to correct the injury to the shoulder.

    The procedure is scheduled and Daniel is operated. As Marc comes to see Daniel, he proceeds to tell him the regular surgeon did not operate, his "substitute" was the one responsible. Daniel's practice begins to suffer because of his absence. A friend suggests a dentist that is well qualified to take over while Daniel convalesce. The man, Christian, proves to be much more than what Daniel bargained for.

    A funny comedy made for French television. directed and written by Olivier Laubacher. While the film does not break any new ground, it is enjoyable. The title of the film refers to a French proverb, translated to mean, "if you snooze, you lose". The best excuse for watching the movie is the excellent Bernard LeCoq as the dentist that must endure ineptitude in all areas of his life. Christian Hecq is good as the man that comes to fill in for the handicapped Daniel.
  • The story is classical, but I really got a pleasant surprise with this small budget film. Since the beginning, when we see the replacant Christian Cathelineau coming in, walking like a moron, answering in monosyllables, with the most derelict car, unable to share a single experience, but keen on... washing the dishes? we know it's going to be good. If we saw the advertisement, we know he's going to turn up to be some sort of winner, but how?

    Bernard Le Coq is of course great at everything! In see I recognize quite a few friends of my parents, vain people at the club, etc.

    Wanda/ Françoise Lépine is fine as the neglected wife who discovers she can do something of her life and consequently gains a sudden assurance. She's quite nice and spontaneous, funny how people (actors) can change in the lapse of an hour, and be quite believable.

    Marc and Josiane are also good, the first one obviously having way more "character development". If you have a physician in your family, or you've ever listened to them talking between themselves, it seems they all have a bit of Marc in them :).

    Michèle Bernier is one of those small characters that would make you laugh. I suspect this film would be particularly hilarious for doctors, nurses and related professions. I'm nothing of the sort, but nevertheless, I roared of laughter at times. The maid also holds us a surprise, in a very "décontracté" way. Everybody seems keen on showing Daniel how silly and unimportant he really is. It's also interesting that the same thing he does (choose a replacant without really caring) does bother him when they're operating him :).

    Overall, a very funny film, with a running social commentary as every good (French) comedy. It's a pity nobody reviewed it yet, and it lacks votes.