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...

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Plot Keywords:

prison | play | theater | 1640s | playwright | 

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Genres:

Comedy | History

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Italy] Official site [Japan]

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'.

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Quotes

Elmire Jourdain: Unhappiness has comic aspects one should never underestimate
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin: How could I joke about that which makes me weep? This type of comedy does not exist.
Elmire Jourdain: Well, then... invent it.

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Connections

References Molière (1978)

User Reviews

Excellent Historical Fiction

This was an excellent film. It would seem to be inspired by the success of "Shakespeare In Love" in terms of plot and structure, namely the trials and tribulations of the French literary icon during his struggling early years.

Moliere narrates the tale, recalling his financial difficulties as the head of a bankrupt troupe of actors. To avoid debtors prison, he takes a job as a tutor to a wealthy merchant, training him in the fine arts in order to help him woo the object of his affections. The wealthy merchant is a buffoon and the training sessions comical, but his wife is a woman of substance, whom Moliere falls in love with.

There are other backstories, namely the merchant's daughter and her suitors, a conniving and lecherous friend of the merchant, and Moliere's present day plans for a play to be acted before the Royal Family.

The acting, screenplay, and cinematography were outstanding. I truly enjoyed this film and recommend it highly.