Two diametrically opposed convicts escape from prison and seek revenge in order to retrieve a huge sum of hidden money.
After hiding his loot and getting thrown in jail, Ruby (Jean Reno), a brooding outlaw, encounters Quentin (Gérard Depardieu), a dim-witted and garrulous giant who befriends him and botches his solo escape, forcing them to make a break for it together. Unable to shake the cumbersome and clumsily helpful Quentin, Ruby pursues his former partners in crime to avenge the murder of the woman he loved, with the firm intention of getting to his hidden money before they do.
Special Agent Matti
Tais-toi! ("Shut up!" in French) is one of those quasi-farcical French comedies that you know so well. Gérard Depardieu plays the idiot and Jean Reno the criminal with a heart of gold. After a series of wacky co-incidences and zany adventures, the two come together and triumph over adversity.
There's a very strong 50s sensibility underlying this film. Good guys and bad guys are clearly distinguished. Ruby's crossover from baddie to goodie is part of his redemption, found through true love. Unfortunately, it's with the wrong woman so she has to die. Fortunately, she's responsible for redeeming a bad guy so she's reincarnated as an illegal immigrant. Then they meet by coincidence, he saves her (repaying the debt) and true love conquers all.
Meanwhile, Quentin bumbles his way about town, annoying Ruby in a Gerry Lewis/Dean Martin sort of way: the holy innocent facilitating Ruby's redemption. It's over-the-top but funny if you like that sort of thing (I'm not a big fan but I'll laugh at anyone).
Watch Tais-toi! if you're over 50 or if you remember the 50s. Lots of good, clean fun, the way it used to be.
M (Low level violence, low level coarse language)
87 minutes (1:27 hours)
Film: 8 April 2004
