Molière (2007)

Director:

Laurent Tirard

Writers:

Laurent Tirard (scenario)
Grégoire Vigneron (scenario)

Release Date:

31 January 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Plot:

In 1658, playwright/actor Molière, having been given a theater in the capital by the King, is back in...

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Play | Theater | 1640s | Playwright

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

France:120 min | Argentina:120 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | France:U | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:6 | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Malaysia:U | Sweden:Btl | Australia:PG | Finland:K-3

Filming Locations:

Chateau de Versailles, Versailles, Yvelines, France

Company:

Fidélité Productions

Trivia:

The production hired a beautiful ancient harp from the Museo dell'Arpa Victor Salvi (Italy); the harp is dated 1760, so it is actually much later than Moliere's time.

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 less?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Molière (1978)

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.