It had been a while since French cinema had offered us such an ambitious historical film, in the purest tradition of the genre. However, there is nothing bombastic in this adaptation ofA great provincial man in Paristhe second part of the classic novel by Honoré de Balzac, brought to the screen by Xavier Giannoli.
Posted yesterday at 8:30 a.m.
Although the director of when i was a singer and of Daisy offers a sumptuous fresco by visibly having the means of its ambitions, its vision oflost illusions remains much more romantic than academic. And is anchored in a very contemporary spirit.
Signing the screenplay for his feature film with veteran Jacques Fieschi (Sentimental destinies, Yves Saint Laurent), Xavier Giannoli describes the career of a young unknown poet who, during the Restoration period at the beginning of the 19and century, left his job in a small printing press in his native province to try his luck in Paris as an artist. And, who knows, maybe make a name for yourself in well-regarded circles.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY OPALE FILMS
Xavier Dolan in lost illusionsa film by Xavier Giannoli
Under the benevolence of Louise de Bargeton (Cécile de France), a protector of Angoulême who finds him all the talents, Lucien de Rubempré (Benjamin Voisin) will thus be able to be presented for the first time at a social evening offered by the cousin of his lover. , a marquise with a lot of influence (Jeanne Balibar). The clumsiness of the beginner who has not yet mastered the codes of Parisian high society will obviously not make him look good, but Lucien does not stop there. He will befriend the journalist Étienne Lousteau (Vincent Lacoste), who will introduce him to criticism, where the young man will manage to make a reputation and… some enemies.
A universe of fakes
Lucien will also meet Nathan d’Anastazio (Xavier Dolan), a writer whose character, inspired by three characters from the novel, was created for the film, as well as Dauriat (Gérard Depardieu), an illiterate editor for whom the point of publishing a collection of poems, like the one Lucien offers him, is completely nil. And then, a meeting with a young boulevard actress, who now intends to be taken more seriously by playing Racine (Salomé Dewaels), will make her heart beat faster…
The imposture and the society of the spectacle having often crossed the work of Xavier Giannoli, we will hardly be surprised by the interest that the filmmaker takes in this highly cynical story, camped in a society where pretenses take precedence, where Behind-the-scenes intrigue abounds, where everything is bought and sold, and where each action unfolds according to one’s political allegiance.
If this approach obviously resonates with the current social climate, we can still cringe at the vision that we propose here of cultural journalism. Any form of ethics being non-existent at that time, a “good” or a “bad” review in a cabbage leaf could simply be awarded to the highest bidder. This way of buying triumphs or whistles in a theater – regardless of the true value of the production presented there – also earned us a beautiful presence of the late Jean-François Stévenin, in a character specialized in the “slap” pre-programmed.
Around Benjamin Voisin, remarkable in the role of Lucien de Rubempré, gravitates a dazzling cast (six interpreters of the film are in the running for the César ceremony!), in which Xavier Dolan stands out in particular. Not only could the Quebec filmmaker not be more naturally in his place in this setting, but he also provides impeccable off-camera narration.
In line with Cyrano de Bergerac, Ridiculous and others Queen Margotwe will write lost illusions among the great classics of French historical cinema.
Indoors
Drama
lost illusions
Xavier Giannoli
With Benjamin Voisin, Cecile de France, Xavier Dolan
2:29 a.m.