Tenue de Soirée (1986)

Considered somewhat daring in 1986, Tenue de Soiree's subject matter -- a thief who seduces both a husband and wife and then steals the husband away from the wife -- is not as surprising today, which lessens the film's impact somewhat. As with many of director/writer Bertrand Blier's films, Tenue deals with male-male relationships vs. male-female relationships, coming down decidedly on the side of the former. Blier's particular world view will not be shared by all, especially in its specifics, but in Tenue, Blier's personal commitment to it informs the picture with power. Yet despite all this, Tenue is ultimately a buoyant comedy; even when it gets serious, the jokes keep coming, although they get more disturbing as the film goes on. Blier is helped immensely by his irreplaceable trio of stars. As the lone female, Miou-Miou has the most difficult part, playing a woman who is written as rather shrewish and imbuing her with enough dimension to make her a strong, realized person. Michel Blanc is a treat as the milquetoast husband, seemingly good natured and bland but actually more interesting than that. And Gerard Depardieu has a grand time as the flamboyant master manipulator with a penchant for tiger stripe briefs. Though some will find the premise and attitude of the film difficult to take, for those who can tune into its wave, it's a witty little treat. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide