Molière (2007)

Imprisoned for debt, playwright Molière is rescued by an aristocrat who needs his help in order to seduce a young marquise.

Director:

Laurent Tirard

Writers:

Laurent Tirard (scenario), Grégoire Vigneron (scenario)

Stars:

Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romain Duris	...	Jean-Baptiste Poquelin
Fabrice Luchini	...	M. Jourdain
Laura Morante	...	Elmire Jourdain
Edouard Baer	...	Dorante
Ludivine Sagnier	...	Célimène
Fanny Valette	...	Henriette Jourdain
Gonzague Montuel	...	Valère
Gilian Petrovski	...	Thomas
Sophie-Charlotte Husson	...	Madeleine Béjart
Anne Suarez	...	Catherine de Brie
Annelise Hesme	...	Marquise du Parc
Luc Tremblais	...	Gros-René
Nicolas Vaude	...	Monsieur
Philippe du Janerand	...	Bonnefoy
Isabelle Caubère	...	Toinette

Storyline

In 1657, playwright/actor Molière, having been given a theater in the capital by the King, is back in Paris after touring the kingdom of France with his company of players. One day, a young lady asks him to follow her to the deathbed of her mother... Thirteen years earlier, Molière already runs a troupe but goes broke and is thrown to prison. Fortunately (?) his debt is covered by Monsieur Jourdain, a rich man who wants him to help him rehearse a one-act play he has written with a view to seducing a beautiful bright young widow, Célimène. As Jourdain is married to Elmire, and is the "respectable" father of two daughters his design must remain secret so Molière is introduced into the house as Tartuffe, an austere priest...

---

Plot Keywords:

prison | play | theater | 1640s | playwright | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | History

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [it] Official site [jp]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

31 January 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

As Aventuras de Molière

Filming Locations:

Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Box Office

Budget:

€16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$32,601 (USA) (27 July 2007)

Gross:

$634,277 (USA) (22 November 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fidélité Productions, France 2 Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plot of "Moliere" was actually loosely based on two of his plays, 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' and 'Tartuffe'.

---

Quotes

M. Jourdain: Your father said you studied law?
Thomas: Trade law, to be exact.
M. Jourdain: What a fine idea! I wanted a son to bequeath my business to.
Thomas: How is business?
M. Jourdain: I can't complain.
Thomas: You're wrong. Our laws are reprehensible. Business in France is impossible. But I have concrete ideas on ways to increase profits.
Dorante: Thomas, I fear this conversation could lead to boredom.
M. Jourdain: Not at all. Not at all. Please continue.
Thomas: For example, did you know you could save on labor costs by setting up shop in Spain, where people earn four times ...
[...]

---

Connections

References Molière (1978)

User Reviews

No frills just scenario

My god, what a pleasure to see a movie which doesn't pretend to appeal to children. Such a movie is rare these days in the Anglo Saxon world. Thank god for the French who do not need to worry about income because of the government subventions. Moliere is written to the French knowing adult, which understands the intricacies of that French period, full of gaps between the poor, the rich and the aristocrats. Moliere, the writer, fully understood those gaps, and included them in his splendid masterpieces.This movie, actually, is an interpretation on the inspiration of Moliere for writing one of his plays. I especially enjoyed the way Moliere was presented as a tragedy lover and a comedy hater. Very ironic.