MOLIERE (2007) Film Review
April 23rd 2008 00:46
MOLIERE
(PG) 120m
Season commences May 1
The celebrated French playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin - aka Molière is best known for his biting social satire and hilarious comedies, indeed his work is cherished the world over and rightly so; this excellent motion picture illustrates what may have happened to the young playwright over a decade of his life where historians are unable to fully itemise his movements.
Thrown into prison because of unpaid debt, Jean-Baptiste (Romain Duris) is saved by the wealthy merchant M. Jourdain (Fabrice Luchini) who will pay the down and out playwrights debts in exchange for professional services that will assist Jourdain in winning the heart of a widow Célimène (Ludivine Sagnier). In order to reach this goal, the married Jourdain brings Jean-Baptiste home to his wife (Laura Morante) and family under the guise of being a man of God called Tartuffe.
Anyone who knows the plays of Moliere will find this conceit a complete delight for it weaves his classic plays into what essentially becomes a tragi-comic romp through the origins of Moliere’s masterful creativity.
In a similar ilk of ‘Shakespeare in love’ this wonderful film co-written and directed by Laurent Tirard is full of whimsy, luscious detail and brilliantly underplayed comic twists and turns. The cast excel as the complexities of the original deceit naturally start spiralling out of control. A bright and entertaining ‘what if’ that tickles the spirit while paying tribute to a fabulous playwright.
David Jobling
(PG) 120m
Season commences May 1
The celebrated French playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin - aka Molière is best known for his biting social satire and hilarious comedies, indeed his work is cherished the world over and rightly so; this excellent motion picture illustrates what may have happened to the young playwright over a decade of his life where historians are unable to fully itemise his movements.
Thrown into prison because of unpaid debt, Jean-Baptiste (Romain Duris) is saved by the wealthy merchant M. Jourdain (Fabrice Luchini) who will pay the down and out playwrights debts in exchange for professional services that will assist Jourdain in winning the heart of a widow Célimène (Ludivine Sagnier). In order to reach this goal, the married Jourdain brings Jean-Baptiste home to his wife (Laura Morante) and family under the guise of being a man of God called Tartuffe.
Anyone who knows the plays of Moliere will find this conceit a complete delight for it weaves his classic plays into what essentially becomes a tragi-comic romp through the origins of Moliere’s masterful creativity.
In a similar ilk of ‘Shakespeare in love’ this wonderful film co-written and directed by Laurent Tirard is full of whimsy, luscious detail and brilliantly underplayed comic twists and turns. The cast excel as the complexities of the original deceit naturally start spiralling out of control. A bright and entertaining ‘what if’ that tickles the spirit while paying tribute to a fabulous playwright.
David Jobling
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