Locked Out (2006)

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

LOCKED OUT is, as is typical for an Albert Dupontel film, bonkers. It's essentially a homage to Silent Era comedy (half Chaplin, half Keaton) with all the editing, colour and language of the modern world. It's about a glue-sniffing tramp who finds the uniform of a suicidal policeman and, in order to get a free lunch in the police canteen, starts wearing it. Before long he's trying to right wrongs, form a hobo police force and kidnapping businessmen in order to recover the child of the ex-porn star he's fallen for. Like many manic films the pacing is a bit odd: at times it builds gags until you can't stop laughing, whilst at other times it feels a little saggy. That said, the laughs are worth waiting for and at 80 minutes or so it never overstays its welcome. It helps that every inch of the film is filled with great ideas, characters and design (look out for Terry Deary as a tramp who tries to scam a meal by pretending Terry Gilliam is his baby) and that it does manage to end on a sensitive emotional note. Try it.

This movie is pathetic. At a certain point, I sadly remembered what French comedy was in its golden age, the 60's, 70's and early 80's and, from there on, couldn't help spending every minute I kept watching, thinking what it has become now. I am really trying to be gentle with this movie but I can't. The story is so pathetically black and white. The jokes and stereotypes are quite obviously targeted at a young, suburban public which is at war with society while in flagrant lack of education, which I don't mean to generalize. It honestly worries me to see that this horrible pile of dung actually has its supporters. If you want to see good slapstick movie or comedy including Policemen, watch any of Louis de Funès' Gendarme of St Tropez, the Keystone Cops or even Police Academy. If you want to see good social criticism as a comedy, watch some movies with the actor Coluche or, why not, a good old Chaplin flick. This movie is a patchwork monster aimed at pleasing a public too overfed to understand what a good joke is. My mind literally bleeds when I see this. I watched this film until the end in disbelief. If anything is still dear to you, don't!

This is French farce at it's best, funniest and most endearing. To appreciate it, one does need to have a sense of the ridiculous, and it helps if you are open to the notion that we live in a ridiculous world. It is a story of a crazy man in a crazy world: and plenty of crazy things happen in the movie. It's not just farce and slapstick, however – although that comes in plentiful supply. Rather, the story is really about society's perceptions of sanity and madness. It invites us to question the values that we have in modern society: it's somewhat anarchic in a way only the French can be, but overall it is houmourous – providing one had a sense of humour, that is. On a technical note, the direction and cinematography are innovative and intriguing, which all adds to the enjoyment of the film.

First of all this movie is not entertaining as a blockbuster. It's more about tenderness and simplicity. It's much more better to be french to laugh at it.But well, you can appreciate it anyway, just let the strange trashy flow convince you. Many characters are french comic actors. Some of them use to perform with "les Deschiens", a funny band making short and minimalistic television sketches. The movie fits them perfectly. The scenario frame is well dosed with rhythmical gags and sensitive touches. The crooked business is not the bad man at last. The main tramp character find love with an engaging widow whom he helps for the quest of her lovely daughter. Very funny, very profound, full of hope.