Jean de La Fontaine – Le défi (2007) - film review

5th September 1661 is an important date in the history of France, since this was the day on which Fouquet, the powerful advisor to the king, was arrested by Colbert, making the young Louis XIV the sole governor of his kingdom.   As other artists line up to champion the divine right of the king, the poet Jean de La Fontaine abstains and merely voices his support for the ousted Fouquet.  Colbert is incensed and resolves to bring the rebellious poet to heel.  But from that day, La Fontaine would remain true to his convictions.  Penniless and reviled, he resists Colbert’s taunts and occupies himself by writing his famous fables and scathing pamphlets against what he knew to be despotic and decadent government...

A few months after the release of Molière (2007), the life of another celebrated French writer comes under the spotlight in Jean de La Fontaine - Le défi.  Directed by Daniel Vigne, who is still best known for Le Retour de Martin Guerre (1982), the film attempts to shed some light on the life and character of a writer about whom surprisingly little is known.   Although it has a fine cast and some exemplary production values (the sets and costumes are stunning), the film is a bland, plodding affair and, lacking in focus and cohesion, soon becomes tedious.  Vigne’s direction lacks the inspired touch of his previous work, although the film’s real attention killers are its lacklustre photography and flaccid screenplay, which fails to offer anything more than a superficial and hackneyed portrayal of the  central character and the period he inhabits.

© Mark Jones 2011

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