Le Guignolo

Le Guignolo

Year: 1980

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: French

Director: Georges Lautner

ComedyAction

After a recent con fails, smooth‑talking swindler Alexandre Dupré travels to Venice aiming to sell Japanese businessmen a counterfeit version of a stolen Caneletto. During the flight a fellow passenger entrusts him with a briefcase; the man is soon murdered, and Alexandre finds himself pursued by hostile agents desperate to retrieve the case.

Le Guignolo (1980) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the glittering world of high‑stakes art and elite travel, a single misstep can send a charismatic swindler spiraling into a new game of shadows. The story unfolds against the backdrop of luxury jets, bustling airports and the timeless canals of Venice, where every polished surface hides a potential double‑cross. A breezy, sun‑kissed atmosphere mingles with the undercurrent of danger, promising a tale that’s as much about style as it is about deception.

Alexandre Dupré is the kind of smooth‑talking con artist who turns a recent failure into an opportunity for a fresh start. Fresh out of prison and brimming with self‑confidence, he adopts new personas with effortless flair, slipping into the role of a cultured traveler while keeping his eyes on the next lucrative mark. His charm is matched only by his instinct for reading people, making him a natural fit for the glamorous yet cut‑throat circles he navigates.

Bound for Venice, he carries a daring proposition: selling Japanese businessmen a counterfeit version of a famously stolen Caneletto. The plan takes an unexpected turn aboard a flight when a fellow passenger entrusts him with a mysterious briefcase, only for the man to be found dead shortly after landing. The disappearance of the suitcase’s contents instantly draws the attention of relentless forces eager to reclaim what they consider theirs, thrusting Alexandre into a tightly wound chase that blurs the lines between ally and adversary.

The film moves with a brisk, witty tempo, balancing razor‑sharp humor with the palpable tension of a high‑risk con. Its tone is a cocktail of romance, intrigue and daring bravado, inviting the audience to savor the elegance of the settings while staying on edge for the next twist. As Alexandre weaves through opulent hotels and shadowy corridors, the audience is left wondering just how far his cleverness will carry him before the next hand reaches for the prize.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:51

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Movies with charming con artists like Le Guignolo

Slick swindlers pull off elaborate schemes with style and humor.If you liked the witty deception and glamorous cons in Le Guignolo, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features clever heist films and con artist adventures where charming protagonists outsmart their targets with humor and style, creating a lighthearted and suspenseful experience.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a master manipulator or team as they plan and execute a high-stakes con, often involving twists, double-crosses, and a cat-and-mouse game with pursuers. The protagonist's intelligence and charisma are central, driving a plot that values cleverness over brute force.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their focus on a charming protagonist who uses wit and deception, a tone that balances suspense with lighthearted humor, and a fast-paced structure built around the mechanics of a clever scam.

Globetrotting espionage capers similar to Le Guignolo

Fast-paced adventures mixing international intrigue with humorous mishaps.Fans of Le Guignolo will enjoy these international spy capers. These movies feature fast-paced action, glamorous settings, and a mix of suspense and comedy. If you liked the chase for the briefcase across Venice and the playful espionage, these stories offer a similar blend of intrigue and lighthearted adventure.

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Narrative Summary

The plot typically involves a MacGuffin—a valuable object or piece of information—that pulls an ordinary or roguish character into a world of spies and criminals. The journey is marked by rapid location changes, pursuit by sophisticated enemies, and a series of escalating, often humorous, set pieces.

Why These Movies?

They share a core formula: a fast-paced pursuit of a valuable item across international settings, a blend of medium-intensity action with comedic relief, and a overall vibe that is more playful and glamorous than grimly serious.

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Le Guignolo Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Le Guignolo

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Le Guignolo

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