听 Billed as the French answer to Shakespeare In Love, Moliere speculates on the personal mishaps that might've inspired Gallic playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (aka Moliere). It's "a sprightly romp" of mistaken identity and repressed love that could have been penned by the man himself. Actually this is the work of writer-director Laurent Tirard, playing to a niche audience of literary know-it-alls.
Dans Le Chateau
You don't have to be an aficionado of French theatre to enjoy this romantic comedy, but a potted history of Moliere and his work would have been a helpful addition to this DVD. Instead there is only a half-hour featurette to accompany the film. On the upside it does boast plenty of on-set footage from locations in and around Le Ch芒teau de Courances in Essonne, France. This beautiful, stately home is the focus for much of the action and lead actors Romain Duris (Moliere) and Fabrice Luchini (Jourdain) are clearly living it up. Luchini is especially hyperactive, bounding around between takes and throwing Duris off his stride.
Totally Franc
Duris is keen to point out that he is taking things very seriously. For one scene, where Moliere shows Jourdain how to inhabit the spirit of a horse, the young actor reveals that he religiously watched "the horse channel." And with that long face you might be tempted to believe him... In the end, Laurent Tirard is given the credit for drawing the best out of his actors. Apart from the testimony of Duris and Luchni, behind-the-scenes footage sees the director negotiate his way through tricky bits of staging whilst managing to keep the mood fun and relaxed.
Between takes, Laurent talks about making the daunting transition from writing to directing and why he was tempted to mess around with history. A brief look at 'capturing the period' through costume and makeup rounds off the featurette.
It's no masterpiece, but this small-screen edition of Moliere will tickle those who enjoy a little broad farce and French fancy.
EXTRA FEATURES
Moliere DVD is released on Monday 12th November 2007.
