Camden New Journal - Movies: Moliere

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 12 July 2007

Moliere, played by Romain Duris, turns on the charm

Oo-la-la! It’s a bit of a farce

MOLIERE
Directed by Laurent tirard
Certificate 12a

THE life of 17th-century dramatist and actor Jean-Baptiste Molière apparently left an abiding mystery which has perplexed scholars and students down the years.
At the age of 22 he disappeared for several months, emerging reinvigorated to delight audiences the length and breadth of France with his troupe of travelling players. Director Laurent Tirard charts a perilous course between low farce and high drama as he explores what might have happened in those forgotten months.
After a shaky start the film gets into its stride when Molière (Romain Duris, a dashing hero) finds himself given the run of a magnificent chateau owned by a wealthy count (Fabrice Lucini).
His boss wants to write a one-act play – and perform in it – to win the heart of a red-headed temptress (Ludivine Sagnier) in the neighbouring estate. He hires Molière to show him how.
The obsessed nobleman is oblivious of the beauty on his doorstep – his own wife (Laura Morante), who in turn falls for Molière’s charms and embarks on a fateful affair with him.
The story-line unravels as the players become entangled in their own romantic illusions, with enough bed-hopping and oo-la-la comedy to be worthy of a Brian Rix farce.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» Film Times
» Film Reviews
» Buy DVDs
» Rent DVDs