A petty con man accidentally becomes the target of an international oil conspiracy.
In short: In the 1980 comedy Le Guignolo, a small-time swindler named Alexander Dupre thinks he has mastered the art of the grift. But after a simple favor at an airport goes wrong, he finds himself caught in a deadly hunt involving a revolutionary fuel invention and powerful oil tycoons.
Directed by Georges Lautner, Le Guignolo follows the exploits of Alexander Dupre, a character played by Jean-Paul Belmondo. The film's title originates from Italian prison slang, specifically referring to a third-rate crook. Dupre begins his journey by securing an early release from prison for good behavior, only to immediately resume his life of deception. His initial schemes involve posing as an Indian prince to infiltrate the jet set, where he encounters a fellow fraud named Sophie. Their partnership is short-lived, however, as Sophie abandons their plans to target a wealthy Duke after receiving a marriage proposal and a check for 500,000.
The narrative shifts gears when Dupre travels to Venice. During a flight, he agrees to carry a suitcase for a fellow passenger to help him bypass customs. Upon arrival, he witnesses the man's murder. It is revealed that the victim was a brilliant mathematician and physicist who had developed a new type of fuel capable of replacing oil. This invention threatened the interests of powerful Arab oil tycoons, who resorted to assassination to protect their market. Unbeknownst to Dupre, the suitcase he was carrying contained a microfilm detailing this secret technology, turning him into the primary target of a dangerous hunt.
Despite being pursued, Dupre remains largely oblivious to the gravity of his situation. While hiding under the alias of the viscount de Valombreza, he proceeds to a hotel for a pre-arranged meeting with a Japanese contact, intending to sell a forged Canaletto painting. This blend of high-stakes espionage and low-stakes swindling defines the film's comedic tone. The production proved to be a significant commercial success in its home market, grossing 8 million dollars within its first three weeks of release in France. The film remains a notable entry in the French-Italian comedy genre, balancing the absurdity of a petty criminal's life with the tension of a global conspiracy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Le Guignolo
- Also: Le Guignolo
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