Que la fete commence

France, 1719: The Regent, Philippe d’Orléans (Philippe Noiret) reigns over the country ever since King Louis XIV’s death four years earlier. Both libertarian and libertine, Philippe fights daily with his consistently conflicting moral views and is torn between his concern for the people’s plight and the country’s impending bankruptcy while unable to appease either. His right-hand man, the Iagoesque Abbé Dubois (Jean Rochefort), urges the Regent to order the execution of the Marquis de Pontcallec (Jean-Pierre Marielle), an impoverished noble with rebellion on his mind. Bertrand Tavernier’s 2nd feature, set among the 18th century French royalty cemented his collaboration with great figures of French film: from co-writer Jean Aurenche (the veteran screenwriter and regular collaborator with Claude-Autant Lara during the Golden Age of French cinema) to the wonderfully eclectic Jean Rochefort and of course Philippe Noiret, one of the nation’s most popular actors and regular first choice for Tavernier throughout his career. An honest and rich portrayal of a pivotal time in France’s history, Tavernier astutely examines the relationship between jaded nobility and the ambitious bourgeois, while proving the French can give the British a run for their money when it comes to costume dramas and past royalty. The infusion of Tavernier’s unique comic touch brings to mind the likes of The Madness of King George and Much Ado about Nothing. The film’s creative talent is as rich as its subject, with Noiret, Rochefort and Marielle delivering mesmerising performances, while Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Nicole Garcia and Thierry Lhermitte pad out a cast encompassing some of the finest luminaries of French cinema. This is high quality cinema at its best and confirmed Tavernier as a major director through its success with audiences and critics alike, culminating in four French Film Academy Awards, including Best Director, Screenplay and Supporting Actor (Rochefort).