Film Review
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, an inspired choice for the role of Beaumarchais.
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.
Beaumarchais, l'insolent is among director Edouard Molinaro's more flamboyant
films, one of two quality period dramas he made for the cinema before redirecting
his talents to French television - the other being the somewhat less accessible
Le Souper (1992).
Impressive though these two films are, neither is typical of Molinaro's work, which consists mainly of
exuberant comedies (most famously
La Cage aux folles (1978))
and crime dramas (
Un témoin dans la ville,
Le Dos au mur).
© James Travers 2000
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Edouard Molinaro film:
Le Dos au mur (1958)
Film Synopsis
In France of the 1770s, the reign of King Louis XV is drawing to an end.
Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, the son of a clocksmith, enjoys fame
and notoriety as a playwright and outspoken critic of the ruling elite.
Popular he may be with those who share his views, but he also has many powerful
enemies, and it is the latter who contrive to have him arrested. On
his release from the Bastille, he presents in court irrefutable proof of
the corruption of his fiercest opponents, the Count de La Blache and parliamentary
adviser Goëzman. The king offers Beaumarchais a full pardon if
he will undertake an important state mission - to travel to England and recover
some compromising documents that threaten to result in a costly war between
France and her traditional enemy. Beaumarchais has no option but to
accept the dangerous assignment, but on his return to France the old king
is dead and his successor Louis XVI is on the throne. It is now that
the playwright enjoys his moment of greatest glory, with his new play
The Marriage
of Figaro...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.