A much funnier sequel to the 1997 hit, this rollicking comedy continues the adventures of a group of flamboyant, emotive Jewish characters as they struggle to stay afloat in the clothing business despite competition from cheap knockoffs and devious multinational companies. Due to high domestic labour costs and the invasion of Internet companies, business is drastically down in Le Sentier, Paris’ garment district. Worried, Eddie (Richard Anconina) and Yvan (Bruno Solo) approach the bosses at Euro Discount, a chain of colossal downmarket department stores. The shark-like manager, Vierhouten (Daniel Prevost), drives an exceedingly hard bargain. Eddie and Yvan hold up their end, but Vierhouten maliciously turns down the purpose-sewn merchandise, an unfair tactic that sees Eddie headed for bankruptcy. The gag-packed script builds beautifully to a clever revenge in which the underdogs have their day.
The slangy dialogue is frequently hilarious, the ensemble cast is well-oiled, and the comic timing couldn’t be smoother. Mining a corner of the same territory that hit home with audiences in The Dinner Game (Le dîner de cons), director Thomas Gilou’s film also paints an uncomfortably funny picture portrait of the accelerated road to financial ruin once lawyers and tax inspectors get into the act.
France, 2001. English subtitles. Colour. Dolby digital stereo. 105 min.