The Princess of Montpensier (2010)
"La princesse de Montpensier" (original title)

Bertrand Tavernier is in top form with this gripping, superbly mounted drama set against the savage Catholic/Protestant wars that ripped France apart in the 16th century. Based on a novella... See full summary »

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

Jean Cosmos, Madame de La Fayette (short story),

Stars:

Mélanie Thierry, Lambert Wilson, Gaspard Ulliel

2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mélanie Thierry	...	Marie de Montpensier
Lambert Wilson	...	François de Chabannes
Gaspard Ulliel	...	Henri de Guise
Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet	...	Philippe de Montpensier
Raphaël Personnaz	...	Duc d'Anjou
Michel Vuillermoz	...	Duc de Montpensier
Philippe Magnan	...	Marquis de Mézières
Florence Thomassin	...	Marquise de Mézières
Christine Brücher	...	Duchesse de Montpensier
Evelina Meghnagi	...	Catherine de Médicis
Judith Chemla	...	Catherine de Guise
César Domboy	...	Mayenne
Jean-Pol Dubois	...	Cardinal de Lorraine
Charles Petit	...	Nicolas
Joséphine de La Baume	...	Suivante Marie

Storyline

Bertrand Tavernier is in top form with this gripping, superbly mounted drama set against the savage Catholic/Protestant wars that ripped France apart in the 16th century. Based on a novella by the celebrated Madame de Lafayette, the action centers on the love of Marie de Mezières for her dashing cousin Henri de Guise, thwarted when her father's political ambitions force her into marriage with the well-connected Philippe de Montpensier, who she has never met. When Philippe is called away to fight, she is left in the care of Count Chabannes, an aging nobleman with a disdain for warfare, and soon becomes exposed to the sexual and political intrigues of court.

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Plot Keywords:

16th century | love | religious war | blood bath | reference to princess de cleves | 

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Taglines:

Passion Destroys Everything

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

IFC Films [United States] StudioCanal [France]

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 November 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

La princesa de Montpensier

Filming Locations:

Angers, Maine-et-Loire, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$23,456 (USA) (15 April 2011)

Gross:

$340,917 (USA) (24 June 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paradis Films, StudioCanal, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Conspirator (2011)

User Reviews

Decent attempt but could have been better....

La princesse de Montpensier – The Princess of Montpensier – CATCH IT (B-) La princesse de Montpensier is the most talked about movie of Cannas 2010. There is no doubt there is some high profile stars and director attached to the project which leads to lots of expectations. La princesse de Montpensier is a passionate story about a beautiful woman Marie de Mezières torn between her husband Prince de Montpensier and lover Henri de Guise. Her beauty and innocence also catches attention of Duc d'Anjou and Comte de Chabannes. Now she must decide whether she wants to live with her husband or passionate lover whom she cannot forget. The story and premises is really fascinating based in 16th century, France. The emotional aspects of the movie are nicely presented but the action sequences in the movie are terribly rehearsed. This is the biggest mistake of the movie that time to time it shows fight or war scenes but they are so unnatural and unreal that it makes the movie very average and close to mediocre. Mélanie Thierry is stunning and her performance as Princess of Montpensier is worth praising. Gaspard Ulliel as passionate stubborn lover is really impressive. Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet is master in playing naïve. This is his third French movie I watched and I cannot stop myself from comparing him to his previous work which is almost the same playing the role of naive boy. Raphaël Personnaz is great, his dialogues and the way he carries himself as duke is simply amazing. Lambert Wilson did a decent job though I found his scenes very boring. Overall, La princesse de Montpensier is a decent attempt in capturing the essence of love but there are many things in the movie which could have been easily improved.