The Valet - (2006)

Released in 2006, (originally titled La Doublure ) is a French comedy film written and directed by Francis Veber , a master of the "farce" genre. The film is celebrated for its classic mistaken-identity premise and its clever, fast-paced humor. Plot Overview

The story centers on (played by Gad Elmaleh), a modest and unassuming parking valet who inadvertently becomes a pawn in a billionaire's scheme.

: To prevent a costly divorce from his wife Christine (Kristin Scott Thomas)—who owns a majority share of his empire—Pierre claims that the beautiful Elena is actually the girlfriend of a passerby caught in the same photograph: François Pignon. The Valet (2006)

: Billionaire CEO Pierre Levasseur (Daniel Auteuil) is caught by paparazzi in a hotel lobby with his mistress, supermodel Elena (Alice Taglioni).

The world-famous supermodel who must pretend to date Pignon. Kristin Scott Thomas Pierre's suspicious and powerful wife. Émilie Virginie Ledoyen Released in 2006, (originally titled La Doublure )

: To make the lie convincing, Pierre pays Pignon a handsome sum to have Elena move into his tiny, humble apartment, leading to a series of comedic culture clashes and romantic complications. Key Characters and Cast François Pignon Gad Elmaleh The gentle, "everyman" valet at the center of the ruse. Pierre Levasseur Daniel Auteuil The ruthless and desperate billionaire tycoon. Elena Simonsen Alice Taglioni

The film was a major box office success in France and was well-received internationally. Its universal appeal led to several remakes: : To prevent a costly divorce from his

: Much of the comedy stems from the juxtaposition of Elena’s glamorous lifestyle with Pignon’s simple, working-class world.