For many people, this Summer is about seeing movies that try to outdo each other with computer generated special effects. For myself, I don’t think I will see anything more spectacular than Alice Taglioni as Elena in The Valet. I have to admit that when I saw the five foot, ten inch Taglioni striding up to the camera showing her long, long legs in a very mini, mini skirt, my critical abilities were temporarily put on hold.

This new French comedy is about a well-meaning valet, Francois, whose marriage proposal to struggling bookstore owner, Emilie, has been turned down. Accidentally photographed walking by a well-known model, Elena and a CEO, Pierre, Francois’ life turns upside down. Pierre’s wife sees the photo of her husband with his mistress, and Pierre explains that Francois is actually Elena’s boyfriend. Francois finds himself paid to pretend he is living with Elena. Suffice to say, things get more complicated after that for everyone in the film. The Valet ends happily for the deserving characters in less than an hour and a half.

The Valet is the newest film from writer-director Francis Veber. While some may not recognize his name, the Hollywood remakes of his screenplays include The Birdcage, Pure Luck and The Man with One Red Shoe. Usually Veber’s films are about an amiable loser who finds himself in an unusual situation, over his head, but finally turning tables on the person trying to take advantage of him. In addition to the comedy of errors, are sight gags. Veber also has a running gag involving a cell phone with a ring tone of the French national anthem.

As the valet of the title, Gad Elmaleh looks and acts something like a Gallic Steve Carell. The cast also includes Daniel Auteiul as the CEO and Kristen Scott Thomas as his wife. One of my favorite French actresses, Virginie Ledoyen, portrays the young woman who is forced to look again at Francois when she sees him with Elena. Getting laughs is Dany Boon, as Francois’ co-worker, friend and former room mate, forced to live with his drunk mother so that Francois and Elena can pretend to live together. The Valet may not have belly laughs but it should bring a smile, some grins, some giggles and a few chuckles. And unlike too many overlong, unfunny would be comedies, The Valet never outlasts its welcome.