The Annuity

Set in the 1930s, Louis Martinet is a gentle, aging man who has been told his days may be numbered. The family doctor, Leon Galipeau, sees a chance to profit from what he deems a brief misfortune and hatches a plan to capitalize on Martinet's supposed remaining years. At Galipeau's urging, Martinet agrees to a curious arrangement that transfers a future lifetime to Emile, the doctor's brother, turning a grim forecast into a potential windfall for the family. As the scheme unfolds, Martinet clings to a stubborn vitality that bothers everyone around him, while the doctor and relatives push forward with ever bolder maneuvers. The resulting comedy plays on greed, medicine, and human stubbornness without taking itself too seriously.

Released in 1972, The Annuity is directed by Pierre Tchernia with a story credited to René Goscinny. The film features a sharp ensemble led by Michel Serrault and Claude Brasseur, supported by Rosy Varte, Odette Laure, and Jean-Pierre Darras.

Box office data for The Annuity are not provided in the available sources, so worldwide gross and overall commercial performance cannot be confirmed. The lack of publicly documented receipts leaves its financial footprint unclear. The release was packaged with light genre fare of the period, aiming to please broad audiences.

Among French comedy fans the film is noted for its brisk premise and the effective pairing of Serrault with Brasseur. It highlights Tchernia's precise sense of timing and Goscinny's talent for comic situations, making it a remembered entry in the era's social satire.

Critics treated it as breezy entertainment that playfully mocks aging and greed. The film relies on farce rather than heavy drama, with crisp dialogue and energetic performances that keep the tone light even as it toys with serious ideas about life and livelihood. The combination of Tchernia and Goscinny is a draw for fans of classic French comedy.