Locked Out (2006)

Why so much hype?

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

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 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.

If you want to know the answer to that question, go to see that comedy really very funny. That remember me Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Tex Avery, it's incredible...The hero is a homeless, and all what he try to do systematically fail and turn in gag. That movie of 80 minutes is very trash some time, but there is a lot of humanity in. If you have see movie like 'Dogma' or 'Jay & bob counter-attack' you will surely find that movie great.A lot of news ideas that we never see before in a movie, and a good rhythm, that make you laugh from the beginning to the end without interruption or rather. That movie is a satyric comedy, but that's very good for our society because there is a true reflexion behind all that stream of gags. Don't be afraid because it's a French movie, it's the best 'french touch' of movie making actually. No money, but totally crazy, and very funny.