Le paltoquet (1986)

 Based on the novel On a tué pendant l'escale, by Philippe du Puy de Clinchamps, under the pseudonym Franz-Rudolf Falk, first published in 1945.

A group of 4 friends gather in a bar to play bridge; they are referred to as The Doctor, The Professor, The Journalist, and The Honorable Merchant. The only other patron is a woman who lies in a hammock smoking. There is also the manager (a woman) and the waiter. The murder of a traveling salesman introduces a new character: the policeman. The doctor's gun is found near the cadaver, and so an investigation ensues.

Though based on a novel, this is more like a filmed play. The dialogue is riddled with wordplay and the scenery is very stylized. It is a sort of meta-whodunit, humorous and self-referential. The actors are all good, some are excellent. Overall, a film which is not exactly a landmark achievement, but interesting nonetheless.

Rating: 50