Impromptu (1991)

In 1830s France, pianist/composer Frédéric Chopin is pursued romantically by the determined, individualistic woman who uses the name George Sand.

Director:

James Lapine

Writer:

Sarah Kernochan

Stars:

Judy Davis, Hugh Grant, Mandy Patinkin

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judy Davis	...	George Sand
Hugh Grant	...	Frederic Chopin
Mandy Patinkin	...	Alfred De Musset
Bernadette Peters	...	Marie D'Agoult
Julian Sands	...	Franz Liszt
Ralph Brown	...	Eugene Delacroix
Georges Corraface	...	Felicien Mallefille
Anton Rodgers	...	Duke D'Antan
Emma Thompson	...	Duchess D'Antan
Anna Massey	...	George Sand's Mother
David Birkin	...	Maurice
Nimer Rashed	...	Didier
Fiona Vincente	...	Solange
John Savident	...	Buloz
Lucy Speed	...	Young Aurora

Storyline

1830s Paris. Novelist George Sand (Judy Davis), who is known to be writing her memoirs, is causing a sensation in the literary scene not only for the quality of her writing, but because of her extreme views and manners, including blurring the lines between the sexes - she generally wearing men's clothes - and her non-belief in the sanctity of marriage after having gone through the institution once before, now preferring sexual liaisons outside of her own wedlock, with the marital status of her lovers of no concern to her. She is just coming to the end of a turbulent affair with Jean Pierre Félicien Mallefille (Georges Corraface), who she is now trying to avoid in his continual pursuit of her. Despite thinking it will be a bore because of their insufferable hostess, she invites herself to a weekend gathering of some of France's greatest artistic and creative minds - many who are attending solely for a weekend of free food - at the country estate of the Duke (Anton Rodgers) and Duchess ...

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Plot Keywords:

composer | jealousy | strong woman | gender roles | composing | 

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of Hugh Grant's first leading roles, and he was virtually unknown in the U.S. when this aired on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre in early 1990s.

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Quotes

George Sand: [picking up a picture] This your family?
Frederic Chopin: No, that's my fiancée. Well, we're no longer engaged. Um, her family didn't feel that I was a very good risk for a husband. You know, no one really expects me to live very long.
George Sand: Balls!
Frederic Chopin: I beg your pardon?
George Sand: I don't believe you're, you're ill at all. You just need more strength. Take mine. Really - I have too much of it.

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Connections

Version of The Children of the Century (1999)

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Soundtracks

Prelude Op. 28, No.15 in D
Music by Frédéric Chopin

User Reviews

Delightful

This film is a little different than most "period" films in that its characters, although known historical figures, are real people and certainly not above swearing, throwing fits, drinking, smoking or carousing. A wonderful comedy romance with an outstanding performance by Judy Davis as George Sands.

It is also interesting to note how closely the plot of this movie resembles that of Renoir's classic "Rules of the Game": 1) group of romantically and socially inbred cityfolk go to the country, 2) romantic and social inbreeding continue in the country, 3) people slipping from room to room, 4) mistaken identity, 5) hunting in the woods, 6) big hunting scene, 7) gender-bending, 8) poking fun at the upper classes, and 9) climactic theater performance chock full of satire and causing some conflict. This similarity can be no accident.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Impromptu

Filming Locations:

Bibliothèque Thiers, place Saint Georges Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,176, 14 April 1991

Gross USA:

$4,076,211

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,076,211

Company Credits

Production Co:

C.L.G. Films, Governor Productions, Les Films Ariane

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1