Dir. Bertrand Tavernier, France/Germany, 2010, 140 mins, in French with subtitles
Cast: Melanie Thierry, Lambert Wilson, Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet,
Review by Carol Allen
French directors seem to have a particular facility for bringing the characters in historical drama to life, making them look at home in their costumes and environment, rather than like actors in period costume and with this film Tavernier shows himself no exception to that rule.
The story is set in 1562 when religious wars between the Catholics and the Huguenots were raging in France and is based on a 17th Century French novel by Madame de Lafayette. Young heiress Marie (Mélanie Thierry) is in love with Henri, Duc de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel). Her father however insists that she marry Philippe, Prince de Montpensier (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet), an alliance which will increase his social and political prestige. And this being a time when women had no say in the matter, that is what happens. Philippe, who is summoned away by the king immediately after the wedding to fight in the war, invites his mentor and former tutor, the Comte de Chabannes (Lambert Wilson) to look after his young bride and complete her education. Chabannes, who is a veteran of the wars, disgraced because of his disenchantment with the business of battle, welcomes the respite and a strong friendship and in fact unrequited love on his side grow between him and Marie. But Marie cannot forget her love for Henri and when he and the king’s son, the duplicitous Duc d’Anjou (Raphaël Personnaz), turn up at the secluded castle where Philippe has hidden his young bride and d’Anjou too falls for her, the stage is set for trouble.
The element that gives the film a contemporary resonance is the character and situation of Marie herself. As played by Thierry, she is a spirited young woman with a face of character rather than doll like prettiness, who is trapped by the times in which she lives. There are also strong performances from all the men, particularly Lambert, and from the three very good looking young actors who play Marie’s suitors. Leprince-Ringuet is particularly affecting as Marie’s husband, who never has a chance to woo his young wife and who is understandably consumed by jealousy and insecurity.
The film looks very handsome and has some nice touches of humour, as in a scene where Marie’s father (Philippe Magnan) insists on regaling his guest with the full recipe for the dish of eels they are being served. There’s also a particularly telling sequence of Marie and Philippe’s wedding night, which encapsulates the powerlessness of these young people against the system which bends them to its will, as the couple in their curtained bed are expected to perform their duty with a crowd of minions waiting around for the evidence, so they can report that the nuptial deed has been done. Not a great start to married life.
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