Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: incredible chase with Pierre Richard and Jane Birkin.
Some duos sometimes burst the screen. This is of course the case of the cult Louis de Funès and Bourvil, or Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard. Exactly, speaking of the tall blond with a black shoe, he also forms a shock duo with Jane Birkin in The Race to the Shallot.
– Want another TV tip for tonight? We recommend this western with Clint Eastwood who revolutionized the genre!
In 1976, Claude Zidi imagined this irresistible comedy which would subsequently become a great classic of the 80s. We follow the story of Pierre Vidal (played by Pierre Richard), an executive in a bank, who is offered an opportunity rare: temporarily replace the director of an agency.
Unfortunately, he loses control when a valuable briefcase belonging to one of the bank’s biggest clients is stolen. To avoid a huge scandal, Pierre and his wife, Janet (played by Jane Birkin), set out in pursuit of the thieves.
Between comedy and incredible adventures, The Shallot Race connects visual gags at a rapid pace, thanks to Pierre Richard’s own facial expressions and his eternal clumsiness. We remember the famous scene where he finds himself with his foot stuck in the toilet hole.
Pierre Richard is at the top of his art in this role of disillusioned bank director, while Jane Birkin brings a breath of fresh air to this intrigue where the often unexpected gags and burlesque misunderstandings are welcome.
By the way, what is a shallot race?
In the literal sense of the term, the “shallot race” is an event which is played in pairs and in which the second must hold the first by the collar and pants. It is also used to qualify a competition where anything goes.
An expression which therefore fits perfectly with this film, in which Pierre Richard and Jane Birkin are ready to do anything to win the battle. Two years after Claude Zidi’s Mustard Goes Up to My Nose, the two actors succeed, once again, in making us laugh!
Tonight on Arte at 8:55 p.m.
