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The Night of Varennes
During the French Revolution, a surprising company shares a coach, trying to catch up something - the time itself, perhaps.
Release : | 1982 |
Rating : | 7.2 |
Studio : | Gaumont, Opera Film Produzione, |
Crew : | Production Design, Director of Photography, |
Cast : | Jean-Louis Barrault Marcello Mastroianni Hanna Schygulla Harvey Keitel Jean-Claude Brialy |
Genre : | Drama History |
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Reviews
Thanks for the memories!
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
One of the most notable reviewers on this site condemned "La nuit de Varennes" to 2,5 stars (out of 4), but I am of the opinion that this movie should be appreciated better : there are not so many cinematic works in our times that are carried by such valuable concept,i.e. that preach and teach dignity and tolerance opposed to a laudable but often misguiding need to serve some higher principle. "Idiocy is the worst of treasons. - And no revolution will ever stop it." In Scola's historical comedy of manners, thoughts and emotions, Barrault's Restif is the key figure which spans a bridge between humble vox populi of Thomas Paine and aristocratic grandeur of Casanova. Watching this movie I felt like the spirit of wiser old Europe (which is still there, thanks to Scola a.o.) entered the body of Robert Altman's shape. French blu-ray with English subtitles is to be treasured.
Seemed more like a way to work in as many glib facts about revolutionary France into one movie as possible. Overlong. Most of the puns in the dialogue were neither humorous, linguistically interesting, or even original. Character development is rather pathetic, and I could not care less about anyone in the film.The Revolution may have been prevented had the French in 1789 known of this future pile of cinematic dreck that was to be made. Possibly the only good thing about this movie was having the opportunity to disparage it so in this comment; but, even this opportunity does not erase the horrible stain of this film on my previous opinion of French cinema as being halfway decent. Avoid.
One of the most satisfying films I've seen. A bit obtuse but very well done if you are fond of tongue in cheek humor, outstanding portrayals, great direction and cinematography.The short version: This a whimsy that follows an aging Casanova and an eclectic group of Frenchmen as they travel through the French countryside in a coach during the time of the French Revolution. It's a comedy presented with delicacy and intellect and the cinematography is outstanding. It may or may not strike you as outstanding, as it did me, but it is so worth the time it will take to find it and see it two or three times.I just read the first posted review and had to laugh out loud. Aw shucks yawl, if it's so bad, why are copies on VHS selling for $300 to $400? I lost my copy to a friend who borrowed many times and never returned anything. Shame on her.If anyone knows where I can find a copy on VHS to dub, I'd be so appreciative. Thanks and do take a peek. "[email protected]".
I frankly don't find much value in movie reviews, amateur or professional, so I won't belabor my points. Simply put, this is the smartest film I've ever seen. A coherent plot and intelligent dialog are critical to my movie pleasure, and this one has them. It is so good that it is almost novelistic, which is not to say that it could have been taken from a novel. Some review guide said of this movie that it is "talk, talk, talk." Exactly! The conversations are witty, charming, and often funny. Be advised that this is not akin to the insipid "My Dinner With Andre," with its metaphysical posturing. One must say this carefully about any movie, but there are actually things to learn from this film, though it is far more entertaining than didactic. The acting is mature and magnificent. I doubt that Mastroianni was ever in a better role. Jean-Louis Barrault and Hanna Schygulla are brilliant. This, along with his other excellent films, should have made director Scola one of the titans of modern cinema. Instead it has never made it to DVD and you will be fortunate to ever see it. (Update: It is now available as an all- region Blu-Ray.)