Marquise
1997, 117 minutes, Rated M
"Marquise" is a springhtly costume drama based on the fetching dancer-cum-thesp who dazzled Moliere, Racine and the Sun King himself before making a suitably theatrical exit in 1668 at age 35. Toplined by Sophie Marceau, the unpretentious dramedy manages to make viewers feel sophistocated and involved without requiring an advanced degree in French history. An attractive cast, bawdy subtext, lavish production design and Peppy score are among the pleasures in Vera Belmont's energetically helmed picture, which should click nicely locally and offshore. Not unlike Patrice Leconte's Ridicule, with in early glimpse of a nobleman urinating on an emeny, "Marquise" gets under way with four actresses in urgent search of a latrine. The scene is set for bodily functions to co-exist with higher pursuits, as the bladder emptying damsels are with Moliere's itinerant theatrical troupe.
During the pit stop, Moliere (Bernard Giraudeau in a lively, muscular performance) and best friend-fellow actor Gros-Rene (Patrick Timsit) witness Marquise dancing for a scruffy crowd. Her movements - which a sudden downpour and a spate of slow motion can't repress - are the prelude to servicing paying customers, whose coins are pocketed by Marquise's dad. Gros-Rene immediately is smitten and, while an elderly gent has his way with her, the roly-poly comic purposes, promising his bride-to-be she'll have her chance to act on stage in Paris. She accepts. Although the brazen, self-assured beauty and the balding portly ham appear to be an odd couple, their relationship thrives on his bottomless adoration and her reciprocal affection. Showbiz, then and now, is a morraly fluid and fiercely loyal realm. Marquise sleeps around - mostly with guys whose names still will resonate three centuries hence - yet cherishes her husband. Next to be smitten is budding playwright Racine (a dashing Lambert Wilson), who gives her private coaching in the 17th-century Method. When Louis XIV (Thierry Lhermitte) is persuaded to ban Moliere's "Tartuffe", Racine and Marquise get their respective breaks.
Before long, Marquise triumph's in "Andromaque". The tragedy, written to order for his beloved in 1667, assured Racine's reputation but took its toll on marquise. Pic's conclusion borrows from "All about Eve", "Hamlet" and history with a firm but far from overbearing hand.
In her fourth outing behind the camera, Belmont, who has produced nearly thirty films in as many years , including "Quest for Fire" and "Farinelli", makes the era spring to life. Pic's first half is crammed full of incident and detail as if to say, "See these really were interesting times", and audiences readily will agree. Frivolity gradually gives way to deeper themes - artistic and romantic rivalry, remaining in favour at court, knowing when to be witty, when to be wily and when to weep. Dialogue features some risque banter and finely tuned insults but remains grounded and accesible.
- Director:
- Vera Belmont [1],
- Starring:
- Sophie Marceau [11], Lambert Wilson [3], Bernard Giraudeau [2], Patrick Timsit [1], Thierry Lhermitte [4],
- Subtitles:
- English
- Language and Sound:
- French Dolby Digital Stereo
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