"Moliere," a funny, bright, and well-acted costume drama about a fictional turning point in the life of the famous French playwright .
By turns elegant and earthy, Laurent Tirard's "Moliere" is a buoyantly witty and wise seriocomic gem, blending fact and speculation to sparkling effect. Tirard's follow-up to his 2004 directorial debut, "The Story of My Life," avoids the narrative pitfalls of the conventional biopic to craft an ingenious and unexpectedly moving portrait of the 17th century satirist, similar in theme and spirit to "Shakespeare in Love." Leaving all trace of his surly performance in "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" behind, rising French star Romain Duris struts like a rock star and proves himself to be a nimble farceur in the title role of Tirard'ssophisticated film.
In 1644, the financially strapped actor/playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, aka Moliere (Duris), inexplicably vanished for several months, following a stint in jail for unpaid debts. Although literary historians have never been able to explain the mystery of his disappearance, Tirard and co-screenwriter Gregoire Vigneron propose an exceedingly clever solution. A rich landowner, Monsieur Jourdain (Fabrice Luchini), springs the filthy, 22-year-old founder of the Illustrious Theatre Troupe from jail, but there's a price to Moliere's freedom. He must teach the finer points of acting to Jourdain, who's desperate to impress the haughty and mean-spirited Celimene (Ludivine Sagnier) with his poise and poetic command of language.
That Jourdain has all the charm of a pack mule is the least of Moliere's worries, for he must also convince Jourdain's shrewd wife Elmire (Laura Morante) that he's a pious tutor, Monsieur Tartuffe, hired to oversee the spiritual education of the couple's children. Understandably skeptical about his credentials, Elmire initially treats Moliere with icy contempt. In a dizzying turn of events, however, their tense relationship develops into a passionate, life-changing romance for Moliere, who finds his long-sought muse in the beautiful Elmire -- all the while tutoring her buffoonish husband in the dramatic arts. Add to the mix Jourdain's scheming neighbor Dorante (Edouard Baer), and all the elements are in place for a sharp-eyed comedy of manners-much like the classic farces Moliere will write years later, "The Misanthrope" and "Tartuffe."
Gorgeously shot by cinematographer Gilles Henry, "Moliere" shimmers with intelligence and heart as Tirard skillfully guides us through the elaborate twists and hairpin turns of his narrative. Under his light yet assured touch, the film's quicksilver shifts in tone from knockout farce to bittersweet pathos feel natural, rather than forced. There's a graceful symmetry to Tirard and Vigneron's densely-plotted screenplay, which confounds our expectations by revealing hidden depths to the characters, most pointedly Jourdain, who undergoes a subtle transformation over the course of the film. Luchini ("Intimate Strangers") is marvelous as Jourdain, as is Morante ("The Son Upstairs"), who displays a mature sensuality and warmth that's virtually nonexistent in mainstream American cinema.
In the end, however, "Moliere" belongs to Duris, who throws himself, often literally, into the demanding role with disarming abandon. While he's no stranger to comedy ("L'Auberge Espagnole"), Duris gives a superb, full-bodied performance that's nothing short of a revelation.
Images
''Moliere'' Premieres at The Smith Op...
Date and Time
Friday Oct 26, 2007 Tuesday Oct 30, 2007
7 p.m. October 26, 29, and 30
2 p.m. October 28
Location
Smith Opera House82 Seneca St.Geneva, NY
Fees/Admission
$5 general admission$3 for students & senior citizens
Website
Contact Information
315-781-LIVE (5483) or toll-free 866-355-LIVE (5483)
