The Libertine (2000)
"Le libertin" (original title)

The 'philosopher' (modernist intellectual of the French 18th-century Enlightenment) Denis Diderot is part of an aristocratic circle which practices the libertarian principles on the rural ... See full summary »

Director:

Gabriel Aghion

Writers:

Gabriel Aghion, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (dialogue),

Stars:

Vincent Perez, Fanny Ardant, Josiane Balasko

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Perez	...	Denis Diderot
Fanny Ardant	...	Madame Therbouche
Josiane Balasko	...	La Baronne d'Holbach
Michel Serrault	...	Le Cardinal
Arielle Dombasle	...	La Marquise de Jerfeuil
Christian Charmetant	...	Le Marquis (Chevalier) de Jerfeuil
Françoise Lépine	...	Madame Diderot
François Lalande	...	Le Baron d'Holbach
Bruno Todeschini	...	Le Marquis de Cambrol
Arnaud Lemaire	...	Le Marquis de Lutz
Audrey Tautou	...	Julie d'Holbach
Vahina Giocante	...	Angélique Diderot
Yan Duffas	...	Abraham
Véronique Vella	...	La Cousine de Jerfeuil
Eric Savin	...	Le Chef de la police

Storyline

The 'philosopher' (modernist intellectual of the French 18th-century Enlightenment) Denis Diderot is part of an aristocratic circle which practices the libertarian principles on the rural castle estate of the baron of Holbach, and prints their forbidden publication, the Encyclopédie, drowning the noise of the presses in Jewish assistant Abraham's organ playing. Then arrives Madame Therbouche, a flirtatious painter, from the Prussian metropolis Berlin, and convinces Diderot to pose for her more daring then his idol fellow-philosopher Voltaire in Berlin: in the nude, leading to an animated row with his wife Antoinette, still naked except for a very unsteady sheet, all over the estate's park. Worse, the saucy scene is witnessed by a feared visitor, Holbach's brother the Cardinal, who is hunting for the illegal Encyclopaedia printers; to divert him, the baroness confesses her real and imagined sins since years and next sends in every female to do the same, later joined spontaneously by ...

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Plot Keywords:

enlightenment | organ | eunuch | massage | female nudity | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

German French

Release Date:

15 March 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

The Libertine

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bel Ombre Films, Canal+, Josy Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Read the packet before consuming

It is quite important to remember when watching comedies that humor is a very personal thing.

If you are offended by vulgarity; if you hate Benny Hill, and can't see the fun of Barbara Windsor's bikini popping off; and think that concept that breasts have nipples is outrageous; if you think broad humor is a pointless waste of time then this really is not the film for you.

If you thought that France = sophistication, therefore this must be high-brow: then I simply suggest that you get out a bit more.

But if you had read the packet before you watched it you would already know this.

This film is a 'diversion'. A farce. An enjoyment. Treat it as such and you'll be rewarded.