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6.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Dédé remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have ever had a friend with way too much money and zero common sense, you know exactly the kind of guy Dedê is. He buys a shoe store from his buddy Robert solely to have a cozy spot to meet his mistress. Honestly, the level of commitment to this bad idea is kind of impressive.
You should watch this if you enjoy vintage French comedies that don't try to change the world. If you are looking for deep character studies or gritty realism, skip it. You will probably hate this if you get annoyed by characters who make constant, avoidable mistakes just for the sake of the plot.
The store itself is full of these shop girls who seem to have way more personality than anyone else on screen. I found myself watching the background extras more than the actual lead. There is a moment where a customer comes in looking for a specific heel size, and the way the actresses handle the inventory feels surprisingly real. It is a nice touch.
Things go south for Dedê when he swaps his mistress for one of the employees. It is the classic "be careful what you wish for" setup, but played for laughs. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Dancing Days, though with fewer dance numbers and more awkward workplace flirting.
The script is light, almost airy. It never feels heavy. Sometimes it feels like the movie is just vibing, which is fine, but it does mean that the stakes never really feel that high. You don't worry about Dedê losing his shirt, even though he probably deserves to.
The pacing is a bit all over the place. Some scenes just end abruptly while others linger on a conversation about shoes that adds absolutely nothing. It is a bit like Housewife in how it deals with domestic boredom, but with way more vanity.
My favorite bit? The way Dedê walks into the store at the start. He has this look on his face like he just bought a toy. He has no idea he’s walking into a disaster. 👠
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s just a weird, little time capsule of a movie. You can tell the cast is having fun, even if the plot is thinner than a cheap pair of flats. Sometimes that’s enough to get you through a rainy Tuesday.