This was a LOTTO more of a drama than a comedy.
The film opens with Henri winning the lottery, only to tear up the ticket in disbelief. What follows is a convoluted scheme where Henri, along with his friend Jean-Jean, tries to track down the mysterious winner—completely unaware that it was him all along. What could have been a sharp and clever comedy instead leans too heavily into absurdity, making it difficult to stay engaged.
The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat. If you were expecting the razor-sharp humour of Le Dîner de Cons or the heartfelt charm of La Doppagne, you might be disappointed. While French cinema often embraces slapstick, The Scammers took it too far, relying on over-the-top antics rather than well-crafted comedic moments. The film reached peak ridiculousness in the final five minutes, quite literally ending with characters falling into the water—an unfortunate metaphor for how the film itself sunk.
The storyline was filled with improbabilities that made it hard to connect with the characters or their motivations. While the themes of luck, deception, and small-town dynamics had potential, they weren’t explored in a way that felt believable or compelling.
That said, the film wasn’t without its merits. The breathtaking scenery of Brittany and the surrounding French islands was a highlight. The depiction of island life, with its tight-knit village camaraderie, was interesting to watch and added some authenticity to an otherwise far-fetched plot.
The only character I truly warmed to was Henri’s son, whose intelligence and tech-savviness made him stand out against the rest of the cast. Ultimately, The Scammers failed to deliver as a comedy, missing the mark with its exaggerated absurdity rather than genuine humour.
The Scammers is showing as part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Sessions run from 16th March until 16th April.