The French fascination with the clash of slobs and nobs, perhaps most memorably illustrated in the comedy that was remade as “Dinner for Schmucks,” gets a formulaic but amusing run-through in “My Worst Nightmare.”
This time the uncouth (but secretly wise) working stiff is Patrick (a very funny Benoît Poelvoorde), a homeless carpenter living in a van with his son who insinuates himself into the life and apartment of a wealthy pair of professionals (Isabelle Huppert, André Dussollier) with an adolescent son of their own. The two families become entangled to the frustration of Agathe (Huppert), who frets as the carpenter (for instance) pounds through the bathroom wall as she’s taking a shower.
You’ll see where it’s all going — Patrick learns about abstract art, Agathe finds herself in a naughty car wash — but it’s fun anyway. The red-haired, supercilious Huppert — that flaming icicle — generously submits to being the straight man as Patrick’s earthy antics get all the laughs. No one loves a broad comedy like the French, but Gallic touches of restraint tend to keep such light entertainment pleasing rather than blundering. In other words, don’t wait for Adam Sandler or Kevin James to do the remake.