Ruby & Quentin

Ruby, a taciturn thief who has hidden his take and landed in prison, crosses paths with Quentin, a loquacious, awkward giant whose heart is bigger than his common sense. After Quentin's clumsy solo escape fails, the two break out together, and Ruby reluctantly keeps Quentin at his side as he tracks down former partners to settle accounts and recover what he buried. The film follows their mismatched efforts, with crime caper set pieces undercut by recurring comic misfires and the slow thawing of an uneasy alliance, all without giving away how their conflicts resolve.

Directed by Francis Veber and released in 2003, the film was created by Veber with Serge Frydman and stars Jean Reno as Ruby and Gérard Depardieu as Quentin. It was produced and released in France, leaning on its pair of high profile leads to draw audiences.

Critics and audiences were split but generally positive about the movie's strengths, reflected in a user rating around 6.7 out of 10 from several hundred votes. Reviewers tended to praise the on-screen chemistry and timing between the leads, while noting the plot favors comic setups over tightly plotted crime drama. Themes include loyalty, revenge, and the odd comfort found in unexpected companionship.

The casting of Depardieu and Reno created an instantly recognizable odd-couple pairing, and their contrasting physicalities and delivery styles give many scenes an enduring comic spark. The movie kept to a tradition of French buddy comedies that combine slapstick, deadpan lines, and crime elements, and it helped cement Veber's signature of pairing unlikely partners for laughs.

It wasn't a major awards contender on the international festival circuit, though its performances and comic tone reinforced Veber's reputation for mixing broad humor with crime situations. For viewers who like character-driven comedy with a criminal backdrop, this film offers plenty of laughs and a memorable lead duo.