Le dîner de cons

Pierre Brochant, a Parisian publisher, attends a weekly "idiots' dinner", where guests, who are modish, prominent Parisian businessmen, must bring along an oblivious "idiot." The ideal "idiot" is usually one who is obsessed by a ridiculous hobby or theme, whom the other guests can ridicule subtly all evening without the idiot catching on. With the help of an "idiot scout", Brochant manages to find a "gem", François Pignon, a sprightly employee of the Finance Ministry. Pignon has a passion for building matchstick replicas of famous landmarks. Brochant initially wants Pignon to leave, but becomes reliant on him after Brochant is stricken with debilitating back pain and his wife leaves him. As Pignon's antics lead to a series of disastrous telephone calls, Pignon inadvertently sabotages Brochant's efforts to reconcile with his estranged wife. In the end, Brochant is left calling Pignon an idiot and blaming him for ruining his life.