Marguerite (2015)
Country: FR/CZ/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 129m
Director: Xavier Giannoli
Cast: Catherine Frot, André Marcon, Michel Fau, Christa Théret, Denis Mpunga
Synopsis:
1920s France: a tone deaf Baroness nurses the delusion that she can sing, and does so privately for the indulgent members of her music circle, recipients of her largesse, and much to the chagrin of her husband, who contrives to absent himself whenever possible from these occasions. However, from the moment a pair of gatecrashing journalists take an interest in exposing the charade, the day when she can live her dream of performing in public draws ever closer.
Review:
Ostensibly inspired by a real personage, though the culture that brought us Cacofonix (Assurancetourix) in comic book form can be seen to have an interest in the grotesquerie of excruciating musical performance, this commercially highly successful period piece threatens to be a one-joke film, but saves itself thanks to the commanding pathos of Frot's Marguerite, a woman who lives for music, and the circle of characters who out of a mixture of cynicism and compassion sustain her in a world of fantasy. Indeed, as the Baroness is deceived by her husband, fleeced by her music circle, and disports herself under the watchful eye of her black manservant, we are led to guess at our intended moral conclusions. However, when during her climactic recital she is suddenly permitted a fleeting attack of euphony by the film-makers, one begins to question their judgement.
Country: FR/CZ/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 129m
Director: Xavier Giannoli
Cast: Catherine Frot, André Marcon, Michel Fau, Christa Théret, Denis Mpunga
Synopsis:
1920s France: a tone deaf Baroness nurses the delusion that she can sing, and does so privately for the indulgent members of her music circle, recipients of her largesse, and much to the chagrin of her husband, who contrives to absent himself whenever possible from these occasions. However, from the moment a pair of gatecrashing journalists take an interest in exposing the charade, the day when she can live her dream of performing in public draws ever closer.
Review:
Ostensibly inspired by a real personage, though the culture that brought us Cacofonix (Assurancetourix) in comic book form can be seen to have an interest in the grotesquerie of excruciating musical performance, this commercially highly successful period piece threatens to be a one-joke film, but saves itself thanks to the commanding pathos of Frot's Marguerite, a woman who lives for music, and the circle of characters who out of a mixture of cynicism and compassion sustain her in a world of fantasy. Indeed, as the Baroness is deceived by her husband, fleeced by her music circle, and disports herself under the watchful eye of her black manservant, we are led to guess at our intended moral conclusions. However, when during her climactic recital she is suddenly permitted a fleeting attack of euphony by the film-makers, one begins to question their judgement.
Country: FR/CZ/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 129m
Director: Xavier Giannoli
Cast: Catherine Frot, André Marcon, Michel Fau, Christa Théret, Denis Mpunga
Synopsis:
1920s France: a tone deaf Baroness nurses the delusion that she can sing, and does so privately for the indulgent members of her music circle, recipients of her largesse, and much to the chagrin of her husband, who contrives to absent himself whenever possible from these occasions. However, from the moment a pair of gatecrashing journalists take an interest in exposing the charade, the day when she can live her dream of performing in public draws ever closer.
Review:
Ostensibly inspired by a real personage, though the culture that brought us Cacofonix (Assurancetourix) in comic book form can be seen to have an interest in the grotesquerie of excruciating musical performance, this commercially highly successful period piece threatens to be a one-joke film, but saves itself thanks to the commanding pathos of Frot's Marguerite, a woman who lives for music, and the circle of characters who out of a mixture of cynicism and compassion sustain her in a world of fantasy. Indeed, as the Baroness is deceived by her husband, fleeced by her music circle, and disports herself under the watchful eye of her black manservant, we are led to guess at our intended moral conclusions. However, when during her climactic recital she is suddenly permitted a fleeting attack of euphony by the film-makers, one begins to question their judgement.