Entertaining foreign films are extremely rare - not because the actual movie lacks talent and an interesting plot, but because once subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen, viewing it suddenly becomes an incredible eye strain resulting in nothing more than exhaustion and a bad headache.
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Ridicule At Michigan Theater |
Immediately, we are drawn into 18th century France, with the reigning Louis XVI, only six years before revolution rapidly sweeps across the country. The Court of Versailles is where all executive decisions are made, and there is only one way to voice concerns or opinions: through wit, but more precisely, ridicule.
Ridicule is much harsher than wit; it is the ultimate weapon, and making a mockery of others is the goal of all who dare to participate.
Troubled by widespread disease, Ponceludon de Malavoy (Charles Berling), leaves his homeland and journeys to Versailles in hopes of receiving aid from the King. Little does he know the intricacy involved in attaining any sort of recognition in the court.
Much to his fortune, he befriends a veteran of Versailles, Marquis de Bellegarde (Jean Rochefort), who teaches his inexperienced protégé about the world of wit. Ponceludon, once again lucky, finds that he has a knack for clever conversation and astounds Louis XVI with his witicisms.
While all of these intense and stressful battles of the mind overwhelm him, Ponceludon struggles with the desire of two beautiful women. There is Mathilde (Judith Godreche), daughter of de Bellegarde, who despises the silly games of Versailles and modestly reveals her intelligence and wit through everyday conversations with him.
Then, there is the recently widowed Countess of Blayac (Fanny Ardant), who soon becomes dissatisfied with her current witty lover the Count, and takes an interest in Ponceludon.
Trouble ensues when the countess discovers Ponceludon's keen interest in Mathilde, and she seeks to destroy his achieved reputation in the court. The best way to diminish his popularity? Make a mockery of him as he has of others.
With two of France's finest leading actors, Ardant and Rochefort, Leconte boldly casts a newcomer of foreign films, Berling. His spectacular character portrayal of Ponceludon is particularly unrestrained, modest, and natural. No doubt that Godreche's infallible facial features and demeanor and Ardant's deadly, provocative smile are intriguing and entertaining.
Lavish, yet modest costuming and melodious, Baroque music accentuated the historical aspects of the movie, reminding us that this persistent ridiculing of one another occurred quite often and was the key to power in the Court of Versailles during the late 1700s.
The most entertaining and humorous aspect of the film is the actual quips and whims that are part of the courtiers' dialogue. Each person is trying to outdo the other with a more witty statement, and the conversations turn out to be Shakespearean-like dialogue with incessant wordplay.
"Ridicule" is like a book you cannot put down, as if each line of the script is a lingering sentence that leaves you hanging and you are anxious to read on.
Fanny Ardant stars in Patrice Leconte's "Ridicule."