Marguerite, film review: A handsomely shot period affair with all the trimmings
(15) Xavier Giannoli, 129 mins. Starring: Catherine Frot, André Marcon, Michel Fau
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Margaret Dumont was the butt of the joke in many of the Marx brothers' movies. One guesses she must at least partly have inspired Xavier Giannoli's 1920s-set tragi-comedy. Catherine Frot plays Marguerite Dumont, a well-heeled, middle-aged French aristocrat who, for some reason, believes that she is a talented opera singer.
In fact, her voice is hideous. For their different reasons, her husband, her man servant, some young radicals and a music teacher all indulge her in her delusion.
This is a surprisingly subtle and probing film. Marguerite isn't just the object of ridicule. She is the heroine of the story. There is something magnificent about her dedication to her singing and her refusal to recognise her limitations. Her desire to perform goes well beyond simple vanity. As a wife who yearns for the love and respect of a husband who neglects her, she is like one of those ill-starred characters in the operas she so cherishes.
Marguerite is a handsomely shot period affair with all the trimmings. At its core, though, it is a very delicate study of a woman who refuses to accept any of the constraints that her class, gender or lack of talent should place on her. She is so heartfelt in what she does that viewers, like the characters in the film, will feel awkward and embarrassed at even thinking of laughing at her.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments