La tour Montparnasse infernale

THE FIRST AND VERY BEST OF ERIC & RAMZY FILMS.

Eric & Ramzy may be nobodies on the anglo-saxon planet but they are a very famous comical duo in France.

They're also a bit of a mystery : their shows are quite dull, their films bomb one after another, yet when they are invited as guests in any show they just steal it...It seems they can only be (very) funny when unleashed and natural. ; that's the wonder of this marvelous little comedy, to watch them play -maybe because it was their first film- in the same way they behave when unfretted.

The plot is simple yet good : on a Friday evening,in the deserted, lone skyscraper of inner Paris, the Montparnasse tower, a gang has taken hostage a rich CEO and his sons who came for their annual general assembly, in order to steal 50 million francs off their headquarters strongroom ; only two simple minds can help derail the plot ; two helplessly unintelligent, even retarded, impossibly goofy window cleaners ; and of course, in their own stupid way, they'll manage to do it.

Not only this movie is a big bowl of fresh and funny inspiration, but it is remarkably directed, in a near-Hollywood style ; the shooting, the photography, the music are all extremely professional, and the other actors, especially Marina Foïs as the Mischivious Stéphanie/marie-joëlle and Serge Riaboukine as the cold-blooded gang chief and anxious suitor are absolutely top-notch.

The absolute discrepancy between the professionalism, seriousness of the filming, Hitchcock-like, and the childishness of Eric & Ramzy, only adds to the feel-good factor.

This adorable comedy really deserves an 8.