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The Toy

The Toy

Comedy · Drama · 1976

When Francois, a journalist, tours a big store for an article, he is chosen by the son of the newspaper's owner, Rambal-Cochet, as his new toy. Needing money and unwilling to quit his job, Francois agrees to this ridiculous assignment. Gradually befriending the spoiled boy, he induces him to play at making a newspaper, unveiling publicly the tyrannical way of life of the father. The powerful emotional climax we experience with the child astonishes both men.

Movie details

The Toy

1976 Comedy · Drama 1h 35m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

When Francois, a journalist, tours a big store for an article, he is chosen by the son of the newspaper's owner, Rambal-Cochet, as his new toy. Needing money and unwilling to quit his job, Francois agrees to this ridiculous assignment. Gradually befriending the spoiled boy, he induces him to play at making a newspaper, unveiling publicly the tyrannical way of life of the father. The powerful emotional climax we experience with the child astonishes both men.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Toy?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Francis Veber

Written by

Francis Veber

Pierre Richard

Pierre Richard

François Perrin, journalist

Michel Bouquet

Michel Bouquet

Pierre Rambal-Cochet, powerful businessman

Fabrice Greco

Fabrice Greco

Eric Rambal-Cochet, son of Pierre

Jacques François

Jacques François

Mr. de Blénac, editor-in-chief of the newspaper

Daniel Ceccaldi

Daniel Ceccaldi

The family man

Charles Gérard

Charles Gérard

The photographer, colleague of François

Michel Aumont

Michel Aumont

Georges Pouzier, owner of the toy store

Court is in session

Put The Toy on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.