Princesse de Clèves (la)

Genre: period drama

With: Jean Marais (Prince de Clèves), Marina Vlady (Princesse de Clèves), Jean-François Poron (Duc de Nemours, the Court heartthrob), Raymond Gérôme (King Henri II, the sportsman), Annie Ducaux (Diane de Poitiers, the King’s mistress), Lea Padovani (Queen Catherine de Médicis, who clearly despises Diane), Alain Ferral (François, Henri’s sickly 15-year-old son), Renée-Marie Potet (Marie-Stuart, François’s gossipy wife), Henri Piégay (Georges, a cousin of the Princesse), Piéral (the Jester)

Director: Jean Delannoy

Screenplay: Jean Cocteau and Jean Delannoy (based on the novel by Madame de La Fayette)

Release: 1961

Studio: Cinétel, Silver Films, Enalpa Film et al.

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.5/10

  

Joylessness, Jealousy and Jousts in King Henri’s Court 

 

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Story-line: the setting is the French Court, circa 1558. At a gala celebrating the marriage of the Prince de Clèves, a senior member of the King’s inner circle, many attendees are surprised and even stunned when the newlyweds enter the ballroom. The Prince’s new wife is lovely indeed… but young enough to be his daughter!!! What will Nemours, who is due to marry the Queen of England, think of all this?

Pluses: perfectly stoic performances by Jean Marais (the well-meaning Prince) and Marina Vlady (the intimidated Princesse), valiant support from Jean-François Poron and cast, excellent direction that nurtures a quietly villainous mood, a screenplay remarkable for its character psychology, razor-sharp dialogues and intriguing events (period dances, the jousting match, a game of paume − the ancestor of tennis), outstanding production values (costumes and sets especially) and a splendid musical score by Georges Auric.

Minuses: even if costume dramas aren’t your thing, the spectacular traveling shot that opens LA PRINCESSE DE CLÈVES will convince you to stick around for the rest of the show. Some reviewers have given this movie a tepid score but I respectfully disagree.  

Comments: judging from this awesome drama, love wasn’t always a priority among Renaissance royalty: it was customary to marry for territory or status, to take on a lover for matters of sentiment and to act according to political goals and self-interest. As for this particular marriage, it may have been an exception… I will let you decide for yourself. Of special interest is the volatile mix of characters in Henri’s entourage: extravagant, lively, often dangerous, these people cover the entire range of vice and virtue. You will be amazed by the funny but very nasty Jester, the only one who can speak his mind and openly criticize the King. As regards the Princesse, her great challenge is getting used to the infernal plotting that goes on among royals, as you will plainly see. In my humble opinion, LA PRINCESSE DE CLÈVES is a powerful romantic drama and I truly hope you’ll feel the same.

 

MBiS 

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