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Movies / On DVD / Moliere
Moliere

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Moliere (2007)

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Reviews Counted:84

Fresh:59

Rotten:25

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: Moliere is a sophisticated, witty biopic of the great satirist.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for some sexual content.

Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:13-07-2007

Synopsis: 1644, Paris. 22-year-old Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known as Molière, is not yet the writer that history recognizes as the father & true master of comic satire, author of “the Misanthrope and... 1644, Paris. 22-year-old Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known as Molière, is not yet the writer that history recognizes as the father & true master of comic satire, author of “the Misanthrope and Tartuffe, and a dramatist to rank alongside Shakespeare & Sophocles. Far from it. He is in fact, a failed actor. His Illustrious Theatre Troupe, founded the previous year, is bankrupt. Hounded by creditors, Molière is thrown into jail, released, then swiftly imprisoned again. When the jailors finally let him go, he disappears. The combined efforts of historians have unearthed no trace of him before his reappearance, several months later, when his troupe begins touring the provinces - a tour that will last for thirteen years, and culminate in Molière's triumphant return to Paris in 1658. But what happened to Molière during these mysterious lost months? Molière, we discover, has been released from prison by a wealthy bourgeois, Monsieur Jourdain, who settled the young actor's debts on the understanding that he will teach him the craft of the stage. Hungry for recognition, Jourdain is infatuated with the lovely but poisonous Célimene, whose salon gathers together suitors & great wits. But the affair must remain secret, kept at all costs from Jourdain's wife, Elmire, a wonderful woman with whom Molière himself will fall headlong in love. Unfortunately for him, Jourdain has presented Molière as Monsieur Tartuffe, an austere private tutor, to justify his presence. Elmire has nothing but the harshest words for this holier-than-thou figure who has invaded her home. Trapped in this untenable situation, Molière will experience all manner of events that will open his eyes and his mind, both to life itself and to his work as an artist. It is from the heart of this tale, and from his passion for Elmire, that Molière the great dramatist is born. Boasting an extraordinary cast (Romain Duris The Beat My Heart Skipped; Ludivine Sagnier Swimming Pool, 8 Women; Laura Morante The Son's Room; Edouard Baer L'Appartement) sumptuous production values and a witty and sophisticated script in the tradition of Shakespeare In Love, director Laurent Tirard's romantic period drama reveals the tantalizing mystery behind the birth of France's greatest dramatist. --© Sony Pictures Classics [More]

Starring: Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante, Edouard Baer

Starring: Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante, Edouard Baer, Ludivine Sagnier, Fanny Valette

Director: Laurent Tirard

Director: Laurent Tirard
Screenwriter: Laurent Tirard, Gregoire Vigneron
Producer: Marc Missonnier, Olivier Delbosc
Composer: Frederic Talgorn
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

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Reviews for Moliere

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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A very satisfying film.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
07/21/07
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

It is all jolly, harmless and amusing – at least until we get back to the “real” France and the ornate wallpaper starts shimmering again.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
07/13/07
Financial Times

While this film is rather talky and a long, it's also a wonderfully complex blend of wit and cheekiness, underscored by a surprisingly serious romance and a steely view of the battle of the sexes.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
07/13/07
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

A bit curate's eggy, sometimes funny and always goodlooking, but neither a particularly good tribute to a great playwright nor a comedy with much weight behind it.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
07/13/07
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

It's impossible to avoid comparison with Shakespeare in Love, which similarly made out that many of the great man's plays were really disguised autobiography; but the earlier film had a lightness of touch and variety of tone missing from this one.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
07/13/07
Robert Hanks
Robert Hanks
Independent

Moliere is an exceptionally likeable period comedy, powered by impeccable performances from Luchini and the wonderful Laura Morante.

Full Review Source: Little White Lies | comment Comment
07/13/07
Matt Bochenski
Matt Bochenski
Little White Lies

Just as you should never judge a book by its cover, never judge a film by its press release. Moliere was the most touching, funny film on show this week.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
07/13/07
Sun Online

It’s a wonderfully witty film – très bien, in fact.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
07/13/07
Daily Mirror [UK]

Both a glittering showcase for a literary giant’s comic genius and a first-class farce in its own right. By turns funny, mysterious, suffering and sexy, Romain Duris again proves he’s the most charismatic French actor working today.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
07/13/07
Matt Mueller
Matt Mueller
Total Film

When the French do period drama well, they tend to do it very, very well.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
07/13/07
Tom Cox
Tom Cox
Daily Mail [UK]

This is no biopic, but pure fantasy, a sort of "Molière in Love" infused with the bittersweet romantic spirit of the playwright's work.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
07/13/07
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Romain Duris may be a superb actor, but a light comedian he ain't. You need a very sweet tooth for this kind of thing.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
07/13/07
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film feels distinctly skinny, as if half the cast haven’t arrived. The symmetry of the story is almost too perfect. Several leaps of faith are wildly silly.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
07/13/07
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A witty, lively period drama that expertly blends comedy and tragedy to create a worthy French counterpart to Shakespeare In Love.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
07/13/07
Leigh Singer
Leigh Singer
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Light of touch but overlong, this is saved by a sparkling performance from Romain Duris.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
07/13/07
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Enjoyable, frequently amusing and surprisingly romantic French romp with a witty script, superb performances and a subtle message about the value of comedy.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
07/12/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

All in all, it’s a breezy, jestful and enjoyable divertissement, in which Duris is given free rein to showcase his considerable versatility.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
07/12/07
Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A very silly film.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/10/07
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: NPR.org | comment Comment
10/18/08
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR.org
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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