La Chèvre

La Chèvre

Year: 1981

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: French

Director: Francis Veber

CrimeAdventureComedy

After the boss’s daughter disappears in South America, the private eye Campana is assigned to oversee his most unlucky employee, hoping the man’s streak of misfortune will mirror the daughter’s errors and lead to her rescue. Their chaotic trek across the continent turns every setback into comic mayhem, finally bringing the missing heir back.

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Timeline & Setting – La Chèvre (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of La Chèvre (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Orly, Puerto Vallarta

The story begins at Orly airport near Paris and then moves to Puerto Vallarta, a coastal Mexican town that provides the tropical backdrop for the kidnapping case. These two locations contrast European investigation style with Mexican street-level realities. The settings drive the narrative, from airport hubs to forests and rivers in the jungle.

🗺️ International locations 🌴 Mexico setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:13

Main Characters – La Chèvre (1981)

Meet the key characters of La Chèvre (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Campana (Gérard Depardieu)

An imposing private detective specializing in disappearances, Campana is used to being in charge and approaches the case with professional skepticism toward Perrin's luck-based plan. He navigates a string of setbacks with a mix of frustration and stubborn resolve, insisting on a practical path to finding Marie. The dynamic with Perrin tests his authority, yet he remains committed to solving the case.

🕵️ Private detective 🤨 Skeptical 🔥 Authority-driven

François Perrin (Pierre Richard)

An accountant whose life is a long history of mishaps, Perrin is cast as the 'unlucky' candidate. He undertakes the investigative role with earnest seriousness, embracing the plan despite the premise that luck governs outcomes. His misfortune repeatedly yields unexpected clues and forces Campana to adapt, fueling the film’s comic tension.

🍀 Unlucky 🧭 Methodical 😂 Comedic

Marie Bens (Corynne Charbit)

Marie Bens is the CEO's daughter who is kidnapped while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta. Her kidnapping motivates the investigation, and she ultimately appears alive near Perrin in an infirmary, underscoring the high stakes and resilience of the characters involved.

🎯 Kidnapped victim 🧭 Plot catalyst 💪 Survivor

Alexandre Bens (Michel Robin)

Marie’s father and CEO, Alexandre Bens pushes for results after the kidnapping and funds and guides the pursuit. His desperation and pragmatism shape the pressure on Campana and Perrin, influencing the decision to pursue unconventional methods.

💼 CEO 🧠 Pragmatic 🤝 Strategic

Juan Arbal (Jorge Luke)

Arbal is the initial kidnapper whose actions drive the chase. He is eventually shot dead by his own gang to prevent him from speaking, marking a turning point in the investigation and shifting focus to the gang’s leadership.

💣 Gang member 🔫 Violent 🕵️‍♂️ Key figure

Meyer (André Valardy)

The company psychologist who identifies Perrin as the perfect 'unlucky' candidate. Meyer orchestrates the plan to harness Perrin’s misfortune and influences the early direction of the investigation, acting as the strategic brain behind the unusual approach.

🧠 Psychologist 🎭 Schemer 💡 Plotter

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:13

Major Themes – La Chèvre (1981)

Explore the central themes of La Chèvre (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎲 Luck vs Skill

Perrin embodies a long run of misfortune, which becomes the central premise of the plan to solve the kidnapping. The narrative explores turning luck into a method, using Perrin as both bait and catalyst. The tension between luck and professional expertise drives the comedy and the twists of the investigation.

🧭 Partnership

The core relationship is a clash of styles: a stoic, control-oriented detective and an earnest, unfortunately lucky accountant. Their dynamic tests authority, trust, and adaptability as Perrin’s instinct collides with Campana’s experience. The evolving teamwork—often through friction—pushes the plot forward.

🗺️ Search & Fate

The pursuit spans airports, jungles, and rivers, with fate repeatedly altering the course of events. The plan’s audacity and Perrin’s misadventures reshape the investigation, highlighting how chance can both hinder and help a search. The story culminates in a seemingly improbable reunion that hinges on timing and luck.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:13

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La Chèvre Summary

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La Chèvre Summary

La Chèvre Timeline

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La Chèvre Timeline

More About La Chèvre

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