Molière

Director: Laurent Tirard

Starring: Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Ludivine Saigner

In 1664, Molière is not yet the famous and successful playwright we know him to have become. Quite the contrary actually; the tragedies he keeps playing in are complete flops, and out of money. One day, after some of his creditors cornered and secluded him, he disappears...

The 2007 film by Laurent Tirard tackles one of the greatest names of French literature, from the angle of what the playwright did best: comedy. The life of the artist is a pretext to show the themes he dealt with in his plays with more liberty and freshness. Thus, it is possible to draw on Molière's very best scenes for the film - The Bourgeois Gentleman, amongst others, is strongly represented.

Technically, the film itself is flawless - it features some of the most influential French actors of the current and past generations, from Fabrice Luchini (Monsieur Jourdain) to Romain Duris (The Spanish Apartment, The Beat That My Heart Skipped), who gives a masterful performance as Moliere. The feel of the 17th Century is skillfuly rendered by photography and costumes, obviously, but also by the music, composed by Lully - one of Molière's friends.

No matter how much skill this historical film shows - it still feels light and entertaining: it's one of those films where you learn are moved, and have fun. Thanks to Laurent Tirard's film, you have the opportunity to revisit France's most classic classics with the respect they deserve: in the manner of Molière's best plays, the film is punctuated with small but delightful notes of humour and biting references - this time to the artist himself, with some quotes from his plays.It is said that Molière died on stage - but through the great interpretation of Romain Duris, he lives once more and shows a talent so great that you will want to read him (again).

Pierre Schramm