Ridicule **** (1996, Charles Berling, Jean Rochefort, Fanny Ardant) – Classic Movie Review 9591

Director Patrice Leconte concocts an ingratiating and unusual French costume drama of sex, wit, intrigue and drainage at the court of King Louis XVI (Urbain Cancelier) in 1780, in his 1996 pleasure Ridicule.

Charles Berling plays honorable poor French engineer Ponceludon, who arrives at the Palace of Versailles to seek the King’s support in a project to drain disease-ridden marshes, but finds he needs help from scheming courtesan Madame de Blayac (Fanny Ardant) and benevolent doctor Bellegarde (Jean Rochefort).

The first teaches him sexual bedding techniques, and the other Bel Esprit – how to be waspishly witty (never laugh at your own jokes!) to win the monarch’s attention and favour.

The marvellous Fanny Ardant in Ridicule (1996).

The marvellous Ardant and Rochefort effortlessly show that they could also give almost any screen player acting lessons. Based on a strange but true story, Ridicule is a compelling, satisfying true original.

Albert Delpy (as the Baron de Géret) is the father of actress Julie. Also in the cast are Judith Godrèche, Bernard Giraudeau, Bernard Dhéran, Carlo Brandt, Jacques Mathou and Urbain Cancelier.

Patrice Leconte is the director of Monsieur Hire (1989), The Hairdresser’s Husband (1990), The Girl on the Bridge (1999) and Man on the Train (2002).

Ridicule is directed by Patrice Leconte, runs 103 minutes, is made by CNC, Cinéa, Epithète, France 3, Le Studio Canal +, PolyGram, Sofica, is released by Miramax (US) and Artificial Eye (UK), is written by Rémi Waterhouse, Michel Fessler (collaborating writer) and Eric Vicaut (collaborating writer), is shot by Thierry Arbogast, is produced by Frédéric Brillion, Philippe Carcassonne and Gilles Legrand, is scored by Antonie Duhamel and is designed by Ivan Maussion.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9591

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