Directed by Laurent Bounik, The Dinner Guest is a likeable French comedy revolving around the job anxieties of Gerard (Daniel Auteil). Gerard, fifty years old and unemployed for the past three years is offered a management job in Indonesia. However the job is not sealed, he must make a final impression by hosting a dinner party for his would-be employer.

Bumbling and lacking in social graces Gerard and his wife Collette (Valerie Lemercier) panic and invite Alexandre (Theirry Lhermitte), the suave PR guru from next door, to remake their image to impress their dinner guest.

Alexandre gives the middle aged couple new hobbies, redecorates their apartment, plans the dinner menu and even helps them rehearse conversation topics.  Fun gaffes and a case of mistaken identity ensue as Gerard and Collette pathetically attempt to emulate the affected personas Alexandre has envisaged.

The film works as an interesting commentary on the new-age job market where batteries of psychological tests, character analysis and hypothetical scenario testing wait to assail the hopeful job applicant.

The chemistry between the three actors is great and considering they are the sole focus of the movie for 90 minutes this is fortunate. One of the highlights of the film would be the end credits where the actors are revealed in their hilarious off-screen faux pas and gags.

A watchable and light-hearted comedy for anyone who has suffered through the ridiculous prostitution of acquiring gainful employment.

Photo Courtesy of French Film Festival