La Vérité si je mens! 3 (2012)
Directed by Thomas Gilou

Film Review

The long-awaited third (and final?) installment in the popular La Vérité si je mens! series isn't so much a sequel to what went before as a near-wholesale remake of the second episode, complete with recycled gags and an ending so predictable it is almost painful to watch.  Can it really be eleven years since La Vérité si je mens! 2 triumphed at the French box office, luring an audience of 7.5 million with its exuberant send-up of sharp practice and dodging dealing in the clothing industry?  The much-loved stars of the first two films are back, looking slightly worse for wear but as energetic and entertaining as ever, many having since become major stars of French cinema.   The indefatigable José Garcia is in his element and serves as the human dynamo for a film that, without his hyperactive presence, deserves to fall flat and die of shame within the first ten minutes.  Fans of the first two films will be in seventh heaven to see Garcia teaming up once again with his old buddies Richard Anconina, Vincent Elbaz, Bruno Solo and Gilbert Melki.  Watching the film, you can't help feeling that you are taking part in a family reunion.

Given how long the screenwriters Gérard Bitton and Michel Munz have had to come up with a third La Vérité si je mens! narrative, it is surprising how comprehensively they have failed to deliver the goods.  Admittedly, their latest concoction heads off in the right direction, out of Paris and off to the Far East, but rather than offer what you expect it to - a wry commentary on the impact of globalisation on manufacturing - it is content to rerun the plot of the previous film whilst rehearsing all the old culture clash jokes.   Not surprisingly, director Thomas Gilou appears uninspired by the second rate script he is lumbered with and it is left pretty well to his ensemble of acting talent to salvage what they can.  The gags and story may be stale and tacky but, thanks to Garcia, Anconina and company, the end result is far from unappealing.  What La Vérité si je mens! 3 lacks in originality is more than made up for by the sheer enthusiasm of its cast.  Whilst it can scarcely hold a candle to the previous La Vérité si je mens! film, this third frenetic offering of fashion-themed humour is still a cut above your average mainstream French comedy and, having already attracted an audience of over 4.5 million, looks set to be one of the big French cinema hits of 2012.

Film Synopsis

It has been almost a decade since we last encountered Eddie, Dov, Yvan and their friends trying and failing to make a killing in the world of ready-to-wear clothing.  They have abandoned their old stamping ground in the busy Sentier district of Paris and now they are settled in Aubervilliers, in the leafier suburbs of the northeast of the capital.  Eddie regrets having to sell his business, but in the end he had no choice, beaten into submission by relentless competition form cut-throat Chinese wholesalers.  Meanwhile, Simon is getting himself into deep water by going into partnership with a crooked customs inspector.  Whilst Patrick is distracted by love, Serge sees another opportunity to make some ready cash by taking charge of a massive consignment of shoes that are waiting for a buyer in the Far East.   As the friends get drawn into another wild and wacky adventure their old loyalties are about to be tested to the limit...