Ridicule Reviews

Stunningly Witty

Fantastic! Utterly divine script and amazing costumes. Shame it's not available to rent. I'd love to see it again . . .

The death of Richard Whitely - No pun's allowed

Ah, the French, eh? They are so very, very…French, what with all of their funny French ways and habits. And that Louis XVI, eh? How French was he? His court being the epitome all of things Frenchy and his courtiers brimming full of so much Frenchiness. Is it any wonder that the real French people of the day couldn’t take the behaviour of the King, the Aristocracy and the court any longer and decided to lop all of their heads off just to get something of worth done in their country?

Ridicule, gives you a detailed view of the goings on in the closed halls and invites you into the exclusive parties that were shut off to so many people during the days of French extravagance. We see how the inner workings of the court function and how social standing in front of one’s peers can make or break a family’s reputation. We see how far one-upmanship is taken by the ‘aristocrats’ and how ‘Wit’ was valued above all else as the greatest form of personal power. It is here that we see how much of the courtier's time was taken up by showmanship and self-satisfaction, as well as just how little time (and money) was spent in trying to solve the problems of the people and the land, who were dying as they worked to serve their mostly ignorant masters.

We follow the adventures of one such man, a Marquis from the country, who wishes to ingratiate himself upon the court at Versailles in the vain hope that he may actually gain an audience with the King. He naively believes that fun-time Louis will reach out to help him and his people in their time of need as they die working the swampland, falling prey to various diseases and physical ailments.

Our hero, Gregoire Ponceludon de Malavoy is taken in by a kindly doctor, who is known for his wit at court, after being robbed and left by the side of the road on his way to Paris. Malavoy quickly learns the ways of the court and is shown to be a remarkable wit himself, gaining a reputation among his peers. He encounters L'abbé de Vilecourt and Madame de Blayac as the biggest opposition to his passage to the King and must play against their vindictive games and vicious ridicule in order to secure his audience. On the way, Malavoy falls for the doctor’s daughter and tries to pry her away from her loveless engagement to an older aristocrat, espousing true love and himself as a true gentleman.

Ridicule is obviously then a period drama, portraying itself under the guise of comedy. This, however, is far removed form the usual hum-drum, bleak house English dramas that we are so used to in Blightly from the good old BBC. It’s sparkling dialogue and sensationally witty scenarios offer us a new perspective on what a period piece can be. The characters, as odious as most of them are, are very charming and excitingly magnetic in their personality; the costumes, sets and locations are beautifully reminiscent of an extravagant age; and the plot is deliciously peppered with tantalising moments of love, lust, revenge, struggle and some - though very little - integrity.

The acting, and of course direction from Patrice Leconte, is excellent, with some of the greatest French talent on offer. Jean Rochefort, Fanny Ardant and veteran stage actor Charles Berling are electrifying whenever they appear on screen, and the excitingly bodiced, Judith Godreche just exudes innocence and sensuality throughout. The music orchestration is very clever in its use of themes and the feeling you get from being exposed to such an elaborate scene is fascinating. Ridicule offers the best perspective of what is underneath, a very ugly circumstance; displaying it with all of it’s ravishing elegance whilst at the same time poking at it to reveal it’s hideous under-belly.

The only fault I could find really, was the ending, which I found bland and unsatisfactory compared to the rest of the bitingly puissant scenario. It just didn’t seem to stand up to the challenge that was set down during the rest of the film and more than anything ended up with the proverbial egg on its face, which was a shame really.

But don’t let that put you off, for Ridicule is one of the most wonderfully opinionated and sardonic representations of period drama in recent years; it entertains and excites at every turn and offers a great detour from modern conventional cinema. This is well worth watching, if only for tips on how to behave and show yourself off at dinner parties.

This movie is food for the brain

I can't wait for my DVD of this movie - I saw it once years ago and have never forgotten it. It's one for everyone that enjoys scheming and plotting in a gracious manner.

Wonderful!

A witty period drama set in pre- revolutionary France. Superb script,great cast, highly recommended.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Didn't get the joke

All I can say is that the humour in this must have lost a lot in translation.

a little cracker

Anyone who likes well acted costume dramas should give this a go. set at the time of the french revolution, director patrice leconte, gives us a fascinating insight into the loves and lives of the royal courts movers and shakers.The film is both intelligent, sexy but most of all gently amusing. As all manner of men and women use fair means or foul to gain a chance to meet and talk with the king.

Une riposte

I was really surprised having read some of the good reviews here how crashingly dull this film was. The characters were one dimensional, the plot lacked flow and the ending felt like an afterthought. Even the costumes were far from dazzling.

I can see the intention to point out the stupidity of the French aristocracy prior to the revolution, but I don't believe that this script was half as sharp or as witty as it should have been.

Of all the beautiful and ascerbic French period pieces out there, this is not one I would recommend to watch.

As good as I remembered it

I wouldn't touch a period costume drama in English with a barge pole. This is a different prospect altogether. It`s not quite as clever as those involved think it is (according to the Making Of extra), but is brilliantly acted and scripted. If you`ve seen it before and liked it, rent it again. If you like French movies, rent it. If you hate costume dramas, give it a go anyway. No simpering female characters making a major crisis out of a minor drama here.

Ridicules thesubtitlers

Sad the resistance of the average Brit to French films and sub-titles. This is magical and witty and so clever.

well worth seeing, but not an easy watch

Unless you are a rather insensitive person, be warned that this movie is much more than a simple costume drama. In this film, words are used to wound and even to kill; I found it far more vicious than Dangerous Liaisons.

That aside: Patrice Leconte directs with his usual intelligence, Jean Rochefort is charming as ever, and Judith Godreche is ravishing. The script is excellent.