Beaumarchais, l’insolent (1996) - film review

In late 18th century France, Caron de Beaumarchais is a successful, if controversial, playwright, who enjoys great popularity with the masses. However, his outspoken liberal and anti-corruption views earn him some powerful enemies, who contrive to have him arrested.  To redeem himself, he agrees to journey to England as a secret agent of King Louis XV.  His mission is to recover a plan that would, if placed into the hands of the English, result in a costly war between England and France...

Based on a play by the eminent  French film director Sacha Guitry (which was never performed), this film offers some fascinating insights into one of the most enigmatic and influential of French historical figures.

Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732-1799) is best known for his plays, Le Barbier de Séville and Le Mariage de Figaro, which became the inspiration for two great operas, by Rossini and Mozart.  What is less well known is Beaumarchais’ reputation as a womaniser, a merchant, a Republican sympathiser, an arms dealer and an unwilling secret agent for the kings of France.  This film touches on all these diverse aspects of Beaumarchais’ life and manages to be both a convincing and highly entertaining study of a very complicated character.

French cinema has enjoyed a long and distinguished reputation for producing high quality historical dramas.  However, two things set this film apart from the norm.  First, it has a script which very probably Beaumarchais himself would have been proud of, replete with cunning wordplay and possessing a great range of style.  There is perhaps an over-reliance on Beaumarchais’ own material, but that is easily forgiven, particularly when the words are delivered with such passion and authority.  Second, there is Fabrice Luchini.

In a very short period of time, Fabrice Luchini has successfully established himself as probably France’s most cultivated and popular bourgeois-anarchist.  An exceptionally eloquent and intelligent man, he also has a dangerous, unpredictable side to his persona - you only have to watch him give an interview to realise why he is a television presenter’s worst nightmare.  Lacking the physical stature of  the conventional film hero, he is usually cast in intellectual, wimpish, slightly off-the-wall roles – often occupying the dubious territory between hero and villain.  For these reasons, Luchini is the definitive Beaumarchais, and the director Edouard Molinaro could not have made a better choice for his lead actor.  No other actor could have taken on the mantle of the great Beaumarchais and have been even half as convincing as Luchini.

Fabrice Luchini works well with his supporting cast – particularly comparative newcomers Sandrine Kiberlain and Manuel Blanc, both of whom are simply delightful.  Film buffs will also no doubt appreciate the fleeting presence of former luminaries such as Michel Piccoli, Michel Serrault, Jean Yanne and Jean-Claude Brialy.  Serrault’s performance as the wide-eyed, slightly dotty Louis XV is particularly memorable.

Having the feel of a Beaumarchais play, this is a film that will delight enthusiasts of the great man’s works.  But, with the indefatigable charm and quality of a fine French historical drama, it will also appeal to a wider audience, for its flair, good humour and disarming sense of authenticity.

© James Travers 2000

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Seen last evening (25/4/2010) on TV5 Monde (Europe) – feel lucky to have seen it, feel like having taken part, as if having lived the epoch.  Enjoyed every word (in French), very much like Molière with Romain Duris.  In both, Fabrice Lucchini is an intellectual delight, also such friands as Michel Serrault, Michel Piccoli, J-C. Brialy. They’ve all come back at their best!  And particularly, Pierre Caron l’insolent and the brilliant dialogues. Great director.  All reminds me of Lion Feuchtwangler’s novel. Thanks TV5 Monde!
R. Ben-Bassat (Haifa, Israel) 

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