Molière (2007)

In 1657, playwright/actor Molière, having been given a theater in the capital by the King, is back in Paris after touring the kingdom of France with his company of players. One day, a young lady asks him to follow her to the deathbed of her mother... Thirteen years earlier, Molière already runs a troupe but goes broke and is thrown to prison. Fortunately (?) his debt is covered by Monsieur Jourdain, a rich man who wants him to help him rehearse a one-act play he has written with a view to seducing a beautiful bright young widow, Célimène. As Jourdain is married to Elmire, and is the "respectable" father of two daughters his design must remain secret so Molière is introduced into the house as Tartuffe, an austere priest...

Keywords: 1600s, 1640s, 17th-century, acting, actor, arranged-marriage, box-office-flop, character-name-in-title, dancing, disguise

Genres

Taglines:

Quotes:

Elmire Jourdain: [to Molière/Poquelin] Mr. Tartuffe, I understood long ago that men of the Church are for the most part mere actors, who endlessly repeat the same lines, with more or less conviction.

M. Jourdain: Your father said you studied law?::Thomas: Trade law, to be exact.::M. Jourdain: What a fine idea! I wanted a son to bequeath my business to.::Thomas: How is business?::M. Jourdain: I can't complain.::Thomas: You're wrong. Our laws are reprehensible. Business in France is impossible. But I have concrete ideas on ways to increase profits.::Dorante: Thomas, I fear this conversation could lead to boredom.::M. Jourdain: Not at all. Not at all. Please continue.::Thomas: For example, did you know you could save on labor costs by setting up shop in Spain, where people earn four times less?::Dorante: [rolling his eyes] In Spain! And why not China?

Elmire Jourdain: Unhappiness has comic aspects one should never underestimate::Jean-Baptiste Poquelin: How could I joke about that which makes me weep? This type of comedy does not exist.::Elmire Jourdain: Well, then... invent it.

Célimène: What angel sent you to make us laugh like this? We're so dreadfully starved for entertainment.::Jean-Baptiste Poquelin: What, madame? I thought the greatest minds jostled their way in here.::Célimène: If you knew what we endured. It's often a draw between boredom and the grotesque. People jostle, yes, only to declare their unwanted passion. Like that poor Mr. Jourdain.::Jean-Baptiste Poquelin: Mr. Jourdain, you say?::Célimène: Imagine a farmyard rooster, disguised as a pheasant, sputtering rhymes in my face a child of eight would no longer dare read. You see my predicament. Then the oaf gazes stupidly at me hoping to be loved in return. As if I could possibly be interested in every uncouth merchant and farmer who aspires to become a marquis.::M. Jourdain: [revealing himself after having been disguised as a woman in the background] How right you are, Madame. How clever your mind is at unmasking our weaknesses. The truth be told, I admire you. I thought it was your intelligence that made you an exceptional being. I realize now it's only your upbringing that gives you style for your soul is entirely devoted to cruelty. You amuse your suite with jokes about those who are absent. But I say it is an insult to your beauty, your intelligence, and your rank that you're incapable of stating what you truly think to one's face. You used the donkey as an example: an animal that waits until you're not looking to kick you. I shall go now, Madame, and leave you to bray about me in my absence.

'Molière' is featured as a movie character in the following productions:

Molière Filmography

• Play in Full Screen Ariadne auf Naxos

  2012, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Den girige

  2011, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Les précieuses ridicules

  2009, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'avare

  2009, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le bourgeois gentilhomme

  2009, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le mariage forcé

  2008, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le malade imaginaire

  2008, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen A Dança do Pensamento

  2008, role: miscellaneous crew
• Play in Full Screen L'avare

  2007, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le bourgeois gentilhomme

  2005, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Der eingebildete Kranke

  2005, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'école des femmes

  2005, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Sganarelle

  2003, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Lakomec

  2003, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Dom Juan

  2003, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Amphitryon

  2003, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Les femmes savantes

  2003, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le malade imaginaire

  2002, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Come un eroe del novecento

  2001, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le bourgeois gentilhomme

  2001, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Monsieur de Pourceaugnac

  2001, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'école des maris

  2001, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'avare

  2000, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le misanthrope

  2000, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'impromptu de Versailles

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'école des femmes

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'avare

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen George Dandin

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le mariage forcé

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Amphitryon

  1999, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Don Juan

  1998, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Der Menschenfeind

  1998, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Tartuffe ou L'imposteur

  1998, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Les fourberies de Scapin

  1998, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Tartuffe - hycklaren

  1997, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Georges Dandin de Molière

  1997, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Les précieuses ridicules

  1997, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Skola za zene

  1996, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Mizantróp

  1995, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen La mort de Molière

  1994, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le misanthrope

  1994, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le misanthrope

  1994, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le bourgeois gentilhomme

  1993, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Tartyuf

  1992, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le médecin malgré lui

  1992, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen El misàntrop

  1991, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Don Juan en los infiernos

  1991, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Le malade imaginaire

  1990, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen L'avaro

  1990, role: writer
• Play in Full Screen Den inbillade sjuke

  1989, role: writer