The 50th feature from Claude Chabrol is a charming, light comedy-thriller, which proves that the French director has lost none of his artistic sleight-of-hand. Huppert and Serrault are the pair of scam-artists who potter around France in their motor-home, stopping off to perform minor swindles. However, they become involved in the biggest scam of their lives at a dental convention in the Alps, which takes them to Guadaloupe for a confrontation with ruthless criminal Monsieur K (Balmer).
The dialogue is witty and elegant, the plotting suspenseful, the shooting style economical. Huppert and Serrault turn in effortlessly immaculate performances, playing characters whose exact relationship remains endearingly ambiguous. A civilised treat.
