Sitcom is a 1998 French surrealistic satire film written and directed by François Ozon. The story documents the moral decline of a once esteemed suburban family, whose descent into degeneracy begins with the purchase of a small white rat.
The film's name is a direct reference to American sitcoms, which are noted for their focus on traditional family values and whimsical humour.
Contents
Plot
The patriarch (François Marthouret) of a seemingly normal nuclear family returns home one day with a small white rat. The animal soon has an adverse effect on his wife (Évelyne Dandry) and children, influencing them into enacting their darkest, most hidden desires.
The son, Nicolas (Adrien de Van) loudly announces his homosexuality and begins throwing wild orgies, the daughter Sophie, (Marina de Van) deliberately flirts with death and practices sadomasochism on her boyfriend (Stéphane Rideau), while the mother seduces her son so she can "cure" him of his orientation. After the father eventually kills and devours the offending rat, he turns into one himself; when his family discover this, they band together and brutally slay him.
Cast
Évelyne Dandry (billed as Evelyne Dandry) as The mother / La mère
François Marthouret as The father / Le père
Marina de Van as Sophie
Adrien de Van as Nicolas
Stéphane Rideau as David
Lucia Sanchez as Maria
Jules-Emmanuel Eyoum Deido as Abdu
Jean Douchet as Psychotherapist / Le psychothérapeute
Sébastien Charles as Boy with the zucchinis / Le garçon aux courgettes
Vincent Vizioz as Guy with red hair / Le garçon aux cheveux rouges
Kiwani Cojo as Pierced guy / Le garçon au piercing
Gilles Frilay as Guy with mustache / L'homme moustachu
Antoine Fischer as Gregory / Le petit garçon