Marquise (1997) - film review

17th Century France, during the reign of King Louis XIV.   Whilst visiting a provincial town, a member of Molière’s acting troupe, Gros-René, discovers a beautiful street dancer, Marquise.  Realising her talent, Molière adopts her and takes her to Versailles where she will perform before the king.  Marquise becomes disillusioned when she ends up performing dances between acts.  Her ambition to become a great actress is realised not by Molière, but by his rival playwright Racine…

Despite its lavish production values and attention to period detail, Marquise belongs to that growing number of recent historical dramas from France that fail to satisfy and make you regret forking out for that DVD.  These may seem like harsh words, because the film would appear to have so much going for it.  Bernard Giraudeau makes an excellent Molière with his richly layered performance which alternates between tragic poignancy, pent-up fury and eccentric comedy.  Sophie Marceau throws herself body and soul into her part, giving a rather touching portrayal of a vulnerable but spirited young woman who finds fame and then has it snatched away from her (rather like a Big Brother contestant).  Likewise, Patrick Timsit and Lambert Wilson give fine performances, and Thierry Lhermitte’s interpretation of Louis XIV is inspired.  The sets are beautiful, the costumes stunning, the camera work masterful.  Yet, somehow, it just doesn’t seem to add up to much.  With names such as Molière, Lully and Racine being banded about, you somehow expect something deeper, something more intelligent that this.  Unfortunately, all we get is a colourful but thinly lacquered historical romp – pretty on the surface, but lacking any real emotional or intellectual depth.

© James Travers 2005

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