99 Francs

Set in Paris around the turn of the millennium, the film follows Octave Parango, a young advertising executive who moves through a world of glamour, cynicism, and excess. His days are a blur of flashy campaigns, late nights, and a constant hunger for attention, a lifestyle that seems to reward sharpness and bravado. When his agency assigns him to craft a campaign for a new yogurt, the project becomes more than just a job; it acts as a mirror that forces him to confront what his work does to others and to the people who orbit his ego. As the process escalates, Octave's bravado collides with the fragility of those around him, hinting at consequences without spoiling the outcome.

Directed by Jan Kounen, the film adapts Frédéric Beigbeder's sharp satirical novel 99 Francs. It releases in 2007 and features Jean Dujardin as Octave with Jocelyn Quivrin, Vahina Giocante and others bringing the world of advertising to life, with a distinctly Parisian energy.

Worldwide box office reached about 12.5 million dollars, roughly on par with its 13.4 million dollar budget. The film found its strongest footing in European theaters, appealing to fans of satirical drama and stylish French cinema, with limited but steady global interest.

While not a global blockbuster, 99 Francs stands out for its pointed critique of advertising culture and for Jean Dujardin's charismatic turn as a disillusioned ad man. It sparked conversations about ethics in marketing and the crush of consumerism on personal life, influencing later French satire with its stylish briskness.

Critics generally noted the film's wit and social commentary, praising its sleek style and performances, though some felt the satire was uneven at times. The themes center on meaning versus consumption, the costs of fame, and the blurred line between truth and manipulation, for contemporary audiences.