by jon bosworth jaxvillain@yahoo.com
B Rated PG13 120 minutes
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin is to comedy what Shakespeare is to tragedy. His stage name in the middle of the seventeenth century was Molière. Calling him Shakespeare may be making a broad stroke with history, but his acting troupe was the Troupe du Roi, they played directly for the king of France.
This French film tells the story of a young Molière whose theatre troupe was bankrupt and was consequently thrown in jail for not paying the rent of the theatre. In history, there are many parts unknown to the true story of how Jean-Baptist got out of jail and what he did before gaining the audience of the king, but this movie supposes a possible scenario.
Using characters from classic Molière comedies and some scenarios from his plays, this film supposes that Molière was bailed out by a rich merchant named Jourdain who wanted to learn to act. In a fashion I assume is similar to his character in Molière’s comedies, Jourdain is a baffoon of a man, but a wealthy merchant. He fancies himself sophisticated and cultured, and as a crown on this cap, Jourdain desires the affections of the much sought after Célimène, even though he is already married and the father of two children. Because he is married, Molière must keep the reason he is staying at their estate a secret from Jourdain’s wife. Therefore Jourdain insists that he masquerade as a priest (named Tartuffe, like the character in his comedy Tartuffe or the Hypocrite) and act as a religion tutor to his daughter.
Molière is uncomfortable in this scenario and tries to run, but Jourdain’s dog keeps him at bay and he carries out the fiasco. Eventually Molière reads the one-act Jourdain hopes to seduce Célimène with and tells him that it is horrible. Jourdain asks him to write one in turn and then tells Molière that it is horrible. But Jourdain’s wife finds it and falls in love with the unknown writer. Although she despises “Tartuffe” and wishes her husband would leave the children’s education to her, Molière is present when she praises the author of the one-act’s writing and Molière finds himself attracted to her.
Meanwhile Jourdain thinks he has a hope with Célimène because his “friend” Dorante, a duke who enjoys audience with the king, is friends with Célimène and is giving her Jourdain’s lavish gifts and love letters. Only he isn’t. He’s tearing the letters up and giving her the gifts as though they were his own. He is busy trying to get her to marry him so that he can stop living off of his title and by swindling “friends” such as Jourdain and marry into her own wealth. Meanwhile, Dorante is also securing his son’s future by getting Jourdaine to make his oldest daughter marry Dorante’s son.
Molière catches onto this ruse early and uses the situation to afford Jourdain more time pursuing the object of his affection so Molière can make his own moves on the wife at home. Before long they are having an affair and Jourdain realizes he is being made an ass of both at home and in the garden of the woman he lusted. Throughout the entire ordeal, Molière is also struggling with the idea of writing comedy. He wants to be taken more seriously, but Jourdain’s wife inspires him to continue making people laugh.
The story to this film is fantastic. The writers of Dallas and Knott’s Landing could learn a lot from a soapy tale so twisted, but it did feel like a bit much for one film. The idea of telling Molière’s story (albeit not entirely accurately) through Molière plays and characters is a clever one, and even if you don’t know the first thing about the real Molière, this primer gives you a good taste of the sorts of stories he told. It is an intricate and enjoyable tale for anyone. It is also tedious and far too long.
If you like a good movie and watching a French film in subtitles doesn’t bother you, take in this flick. It is a terrific story, it is funny, and it is very well-acted. But in a French movie they have to tack on a sad ending. Two hours is too long for an American to watch a movie unless it’s Titanic, and this one you’ll have to read. So be prepared for those things and you may actually discover a fun film that Hollywood would never make. This film is not scheduled to open until September 28th.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
