The Man Who Laughs (2012)
"L'homme qui rit" (original title)

Director:

Jean-Pierre Améris

Writers:

Jean-Pierre Améris (scenario & adaptation), Victor Hugo (novel),

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Marc-André Grondin, Emmanuelle Seigner

Cast

Credited cast:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Ursus
Marc-André Grondin	...	Gwynplaine
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	La duchesse Josiane
Christa Theret	...	Déa
Arben Bajraktaraj	...	Hardquanone
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Swann Arlaud	...	Sylvain
Josef Bradna	...	Le Bossu
Markéta Hrubesová
Vladimír Javorský
Serge Merlin	...	Barkilphedro
Pierre Peyrichout	...	Homme de cour
Jirí Maria Sieber
Christèle Tual	...	Clémence
Miroslav Táborský
Fanie Zanini	...	Déa - enfant

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

letter | street performer | orphan | love | theatre | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France Czech Republic

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 December 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Laughs

Filming Locations:

Chotesov, Czech Republic

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incognita Films, EuropaCorp, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of L'uomo che ride (1966)

User Reviews

A dramatic modern take of the Victor Hugo classic.

This was a remarkable and truly moving cinema experience,a heartfelt adaption of a Victor Hugo story,.Covering the full gamut of the emotional spectrum,pain,loss,abandonment,identity,loyalty,betrayal and love.Stunning performances by all the cast,in particular the two young leads who brought this reviewer to tears with their honest raw performance,lacking in histrionics, and completely devoid of cinema clichés.A truly worthy addition to the long tradition of cinema adaptations of Hugo novels. .This is the archetypal morality play with a sting in its tail,highly recommended. A noteworthy performance by Depardieu who for a change is not sleep-walking or phoning in his performance this time round ,and you sense his love of,and total involvement in this beguiling story full of magic realism touches by the director.5stars. This to me was the highlight of the French Film Festival and I look forward to other works by this director,his staging,the direction of the actors and the sensitive handling of this complex story was flawless.A thoroughly engaging cinema experience that transports you to another world yet anchors you in the harsh reality of the main protagonist and his struggle for identity and respect from his peers.Also the story touches on the search for love by all of us.It asks us the question what is truly ugly and what is beautiful both within and without.