THE CLOSET (15)

Francis Veber's delightful comedy exploits political correctness to hilarious effect.

Mild-mannered accountant Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) has worked in the finance department of a condom factory for years.

Overhearing a conversation between two of his managers, Felix (Gerard Depardieu) and Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte), poor Francois learns he is about to be fired. He is plunged into despair and resigns himself to his fate.

However, canny next door neighbour Belone (Michael Aumont) has a novel idea to ensure Francois keeps his job - let his bosses at the factory believe he is gay.

There is no way they would fire him them, for fear of accusations of sexual discrimination.

The plan works a treat, much to Francois's delight, and the rest of the workforce embraces the newly outed accountant.

Suspicions

Even his estranged teenage son Franck (Stanislas Crevillen), who always believed his father to be a dull, lifeless man, appears delighted by the shock announcement.

However, fellow accountant Mademoiselle Bertrand (Michele Laroque) suspects Francois is lying, and she sets out to prove he is straight.

Auteuil delivers another wonderful performance as the hapless hero who comes out of his shell, by coming out of a closet he never went into.

He doesn't alter Francois's behaviour after the revelation - indeed, it's the complete change in attitudes of the people around him, that provides so much amusement.

Women suddenly make intimate confessions about their love lives, and his ex-wife (Alexandra Vandernoot) almost faints.

Depardieu is splendid as a macho oaf who discovers his feminine side, yet he is heartbreaking too as his hand of friendship is cruelly rebuffed.

Laroque is cool yet sexy and Lhermitte and Aumont offer solid support, while the script delivers plenty of belly laughs.