Ridicule

Synopsis

1780, nine years before the beginning of the French Revolution, Louis XVI is King of France, Marie Antoinette (of Austria) is Queen. Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy, an unimportant nobleman from Southern France, arrives at the Court of Versailles to ask for money for an ecological project. He learns that in order to succeed at court it is essential to exhibit wit ('esprit' in French) and to avoid ridicule. Brilliant satire denouncing the conceit and complacency of courtisans (of all 'courts' and all ages). "This film illustrates the power of language both to build and to tear down."
© 1996 James Berardinelli

Background Information

Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Versailles, the French Revolution, the guillotine.
The influence of Voltaire, Rousseau and the Encyclopedia.

Director

Patrice Leconte

Main Actors

Fanny Ardant, Charles Berling

Year

1996

Length

103 min

Awards

1997 Cesar (French equivalent of an Oscar) for Best Film
1997 Cesar for Best Director
Nominated for an Oscar

Discussion

	What are Gregoire de Ponceludon's traits of character?
	What are Mathilde's traits of character?
	What are la comtesse de Blayac's traits of character?
	Describe the behavior of the King, the Queen and the courtisans.t
	Describe the behavior of the priest de Vilecourt.
	Contrast Madame de Blayac and Mathilde.
	What other oppositions did you notice?
	Describe the different 'affairs of love' and 'arrangements' that you observed.
	Voltaire is mentioned in the movie. Who was he?
	Rousseau is mentioned in the movie. Who was he?
	What 18th century ideas and inventions are shown in the movie?
	The French Revolution is mentioned at the end of the movie. What do you know about it?

Related websites

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0FQP/n4320_v126/19358356/p1/article.jhtml
http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1074318/reviews.php?critic=movies&sortby=default&page=1&rid=59382