Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 1997
Marquise (film)
Buy Marquise (film) now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
'Marquise' is a 1997 French dramatic film directed by Vra Belmont, and starring Sophie Marceau, Bernard Giraudeau, and Lambert Wilson. Written by Jean-Franois Josselin, Vra Belmont, Marcel Beaulieu and Grard Mordillat, the film is about a dancer and actress, based on the historical actress Marquise-Thrse de Gorla, who rises from obscurity to win the hearts of some of France's most prominent citizens, including Moliere, Racine, and King Louis XIV. She is helped in her career by a rotund comic, who falls in love with her, marries her, and brings her to Paris to launch her career. Despite her intimate involvement with other men, she keeps a special place in her heart reserved only for her unlikely spouse. Set in seventeenth century France, the film was shot on location in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Italy, from September through December 1996.
'Marquise' was released on 20 August 1997 in France, and on 12 September 1997 in the United States. The film received generally positive reviews, with 'Variety' magazine's Lisa Nesselson calling it "entertaining without being taxing", and Paul Fischer on the Urban Cinefile website calling it "masterful entertainment on a grand scale, an intelligent and fascinating insight into 17th century French society". 'Marquise' was nominated for the AFI Fest Grand Jury Prize, the British Independent Film Award for Best Foreign Independent Film, and the Csar Award for Best Music.
Plot
While four actresses from Molire's itinerant theatrical troupe set off looking for a latrine, Molire (Bernard Giraudeau) and his best friend Gros-Rene (Patrick Timsit) discover Marquise (Sophie Marceau) dancing before an eager crowd of men. Her movements are provocative and are heightened by a heavy rain that drenches her hair and clothes. The men offer her coins for her performance, which are pocketed by Marquise's father. Gros-Rene immediately falls in love with Marquise. While an elderly gentlemen has his way with her, Gros-Rene proposes to her, promising that she will end up on a Paris stage if she accepts, which she does.
Although the beautiful Marquise and the balding portly Gros-Rene make an unlikely couple, their relationship is sustained by his unquestioning adoration and her reciprocal affection. While Marquise continues to sleep with other men, her love for her husband is unchanging. Marquise is next attracted to the budding playwright Racine (Lambert Wilson), who "coaches" her privately. When Louis XIV (Thierry Lhermitte) bans Molire's 'Tartuffe', Racine writes a new tragedy 'Andromaque' and Marquise gets her big break. Marquise's performance in 'Andromaque' brings her acclaim. Written for his beloved in 1667, the tragedy assured Racine's reputation as a playwright. Unfortunately, the performances take their toll on Marquise and lead to a tragic end.
Cast
* Sophie Marceau as Marquise
* Bernard Giraudeau as Molire
* Lambert Wilson as Racine
* Patrick Timsit as Gros Ren
* Thierry Lhermitte as Louis XIV
* Anmone as La Voisin
* Remo Girone as Jean-Baptiste Lully
* Georges Wilson as Floridor
* Franck de la Personne as Monsieur
* Marianne Basler as Madame
* Romina Mondello as Armande
* Estelle Skornik as Marie
* Victoria Pea as la Reine
* Christine Joly as Madeleine
* Olivier Achard as Monsieur de Saint-Loup
* Patrice Melennec as Giacomo de Gorla pre de Marquise
* Anne-Marie Philipe as Catherine de Brie
* Christine Joly as Madeleine Bjart
* Beatrice Palme as Genevive
* Francisco Casares as Gorgibus (as Paco Casares)
* Guillermo Antn as Charles
* Eric Boucher as Brcourt
* Stphane Boucher as Louis Bjart
Production
'Marquise' was filmed on location in Sabbioneta, Mantua in Lombardy, Italy, and in Soragna, Parma in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Principal photography ran from September through the end of December 1996. Scenes of the royal court were filmed at Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Release
'Marquise' was released on 20 August 1997 in France. The film was released in the United States the following month, on 12 September 1997. It was shown at the Venice International Film Festival from 27 August through 6 September 1997, at the Toronto International Film Festival 413 September 1997, and at a special screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival 110 November 1997.
Reception
Critical response
The film received generally positive reviews. In her review for 'Variety' magazine, Lisa Nesselson described the film as being "entertaining without being taxing". Nesselson went on to write:Applauding the performances, Nesselson wrote, "Robust and spirited without showing off, Marceau has all the creamy-breasted allure and most of the grace required to turn heads and accrue glory. As her husband, Timsit is ardent and touching. And in a far from obvious casting choice, Lhermitte scores as the King." Nesselson praised Jordi Savall's score, calling it"a delight", and applauded the "alacrity" of the cinematography and editing, which effectively convey the "mud, muck and rabble as well as the sumptuous pomp of the day."
In her review for 'Urban Cinefile', Lousie Keller described the film as "a colourful period piece that captures the lusty spirit of the 17th century with its fire, frivolity and passion." Keller praised the entire "top notch" cast for their performances:
Keller also praised the "excellent" production design, the "beguiling" cinematography, and the director, Vera Belmont, who "invests passion and energy in this entertaining romp which delicately balances comedy and tragedy on the fickle seesaw of life."
In his review for 'Urban Cinefile', Paul Fischer called the film "lavish, sexy, funny, poignant" and a "masterful entertainment on a grand scale, an intelligent and fascinating insight into 17th century French society." Fischer singled out the performance of Sophie Marceau and her portrayal of the "luminous" Marquise:
Fischer also praised the production design and cinematography, in what he described as a visually "breathtaking, beautifully shot and costumed" period piece:
Accolades
References
Buy Marquise (film) now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 1997