MOLIERE [2007]

It's 1658 and the great French playwright Moliere is returning to Paris for the first time in thirteen years.  Having been given a theatre by the King he is finally getting the respect he deserves after struggling in the Provinces with his ragtag troupe of actors for well over a decade.  Known for comedy, Moliere is fretful and wishing to be taken seriously decides to stage a tragedy for his triumphant homecoming.  The Royal Court begs to differ, however, and Moliere must capitulate to give the people what they want.  When he is summoned to the deathbed of someone from his past the inspiration is put in place, and Moliere takes quill in hand and sets about writing his newest masterpiece.  Flashing back to thirteen years earlier when life wasn't exactly a bowl of croissants, and in one of historys great lterary mysteries Moliere seemingly dissappeared from the face of the earth for a few months......
A fanciful recreation of what may have happened is the basis for this charming  film from director Laurent Tirard.   In 1644 Jean-Baptiste Poquelin aka Moliere  delights in staging farces that poke fun at the powers that be.  The tax-collectors being a decidedly humorless lot, toss our dear penniless thespian in debtors prison for not the first time.  It is there that a mysterious benefactor known as M. Jourdain offers to pay Moliere's debts in return for his services.  It seems the married Jourdain is quite enamored of a certain sassy courtesan named Celimene whose many suitors vainly curry for her favor.   He needs help with his acting skills in order to perform a play that he has written for her in hopes that she will be flattered and amused enough to become his mistress.  The catch is Moliere will have to coach him on the down-low and Jourdain has hit upon the idea of presenting him as a priest so he can enter the household without arousing suspicion.  Jourdain, a hapless buffon, has many teachers in the household.  He valiantly tries to excel at art, music, and fencing but is lousy at everything.  Moliere, after a few comic attempts at escape, decides to dedicate himself to the task at hand, especiallly after getting an ooh-la-la eyeful of Madame Jourdain.  To divulge more would ruin the twists and turns this wily and witty film takes.  Suffice it to say, you'll be tittering into your puffy sleeves and smiling behind your fans.

Far from a serious take on the great satirist's life, Moliere is a highly entertaining comedy of errors in the Shakespeare In Love vein.  The cast seems wonderfully game and are all excellent in their roles.  Romain Duris (The Beat That My Heart Skipped) plays Moliere as a randy Jack Sparrow type and is suprisingly deft with his broad comic part.  M. Jourdain, as played by Fabrice Luchini, is equal parts despicable tyrant and sympathetic oaf.  Laura Morante gives an emotional depth to Madame Jourdain in a role that could easily haved collapsed  into caricature.  The always fetching Ludivine Sagnier (Swimming Pool) gives the much sought after Celimene the right mixture of tease and meaness.  Rounding out the ensemble is Edouard Baer as Dorante, the slimy undermining best friend to Jourdain in a masterfully sleazy performance.  Add the breathtaking scenery and sumptuous costumes and you have the perfect end of summer diversion.
Already a surprise hit at film festivals, expect Moliere to get a best foreign film nomination at the Academy Awards, and deservingly so.  Romantic and smartly scripted, Moliere would surely approve of Moliere.  The film ultimately sums up his quote "Reason is not what decides love".

                                           RATING:  3 1/2 BANANAS