MOVIE REVIEW : ‘Augustin’ as Impressive as It Is Subtle

“Augustin” is the sliest of films, an almost invisible comedy where the jokes are so deft they could sneak by unnoticed. Its aim is subtler than creating raucous roars of laughter but it’s not any the less funny for that.

A character study of a truly eccentric character, “Augustin” explores the life of an oblivious individual who has no idea how amusing he is. In dead-earnest about all things he says and does, the invariably serene and self-satisfied epitome of comic dignity, Augustin is funnier and funnier the more serious he gets.

Only 61 minutes, “Augustin” was created by French writer-director Anne Fontaine for her Keatonesque actor brother, Jean-Chretien Silbertin-Blanc. Almost all his co-stars are nonprofessionals, but that only adds to the film’s delights.

Introduced blithely pedaling through Paris as peppy Portuguese music plays on the soundtrack, Augustin Dos Santos is on his way to a casting agent, cheerfully unaware that he is a full day late for his appointment. No matter, he’s brought publicity photos for her to consider. Yes, they are postage-stamp size. Is that a problem?

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Though he’s appeared as a Portuguese cod smuggler on TV and done features like “Better Off Deaf,” Augustin is not a full-time actor. He also works for precisely 3 hours and 38 minutes a day as an obscure functionary in a Kafkaesque insurance company. Yes, someone else might consider it mind-numbing, but, Augustin carefully explains, “for someone with no skills it’s a dream job.”

Currently on tap in the acting department is a small part as a room-service waiter that Augustin prepares for as doggedly as if it were the lead in “Candide.” He even manages to talk his way into a luxury hotel to get a day of on-the-job experience.

Here he chats with a guest about the weather in inane broken English and, in an thoroughly charming scene, helps a disbelieving chambermaid (Stephanie Zhang) make up a room, determinedly half-flirting with her while simultaneously taking serious notes on the kind of cleaning products she uses.

The climax of Augustin’s unlikely acting ambitions is an audition he shares with Thierry Lhermitte, one of France’s most popular actors who appears as himself. Writer-director Fontaine never rehearsed the actors together, and apparently didn’t even show them each other’s lines. So the look of nonplused astonishment that appears unbidden on Lhermitte’s face is all the funnier for being completely genuine.

Those who make Augustin’s acquaintance have an added bonus in store. Playing with the feature is a French short called “Omnibus” about the problems a frustrated commuter encounters when he tries to take his usual morning train. Starring Daniel Rialet and directed by Sam Karmann from a script he wrote with Christian Roth, it deservedly won the 1992 Oscar for best short film. If there is a funnier eight minutes to be found anywhere, it is hard to think of offhand.

* Unrated. Times guidelines: genial throughout.

‘Augustin’

Jean-Chretien Silbertin-Blanc: Augustin

Stephanie Zhang: Caroline

Guy Casabonne: Cyril Cachones

Nora Habib: Shula

Thierry Lhermitte: Himself

A Pan-Europeenne release of a Sepia/Cinea co-production, with the participation of the French National Center of Cinematography, released by Kino International Corporation. Director Anne Fontaine. Producers Philippe Jacquier, Brigitte Faure. Screenplay Anne Fontaine. Cinematographer Jean-Marie Dreujou. Editor Sylvie Gadmer. Sound Francois de Morant, Jean-Pierre Laforce. Running time: 1 hour, 1 minute.

* Exclusively at the Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-5581.