Ridicule

Patrice Leconte, France 1996, 103 minutes

In the 1780s, young nobleman Ponceludon de Malavoy (Charles Berling) sets out for the court in Paris. He hopes to ease the suffering of the people under his care by draining the local marshes. At first it seems he is doomed to failure - he arrives shortly after the death of the one person he knew at court. With no other access to the court, he decides to return home. On leaving Paris however, he is taken in by a simple trick and robbed.

Here his luck changes. The Marquis de Bellegarde (Jean Rochefort) takes pity on him and tries to help him. This does not appear to be an easy task. He is unused to the ways of the court, where a ready wit is everything and careers are made and broken by the ridicule of the most powerful. Nevertheless, with his quick mind, Ponceludon's readily adapts to court life. He attracts the attention of the powerful Madame de Blayac (Fanny Ardant), who provides him with assistance; but not for long: Madame de Blayac's horse is frightened by Bellegarde's deaf and dumb ward Paul (Bruno Zanardi). She falls and is made to look foolish at court. She then takes revenge on him and everyone associated with him (including Malavoy).

While this is going on, Ponceludon begins to develop a relationship with Mathilde (Judith Godrèche). Unlike Madame de Blayac she chooses to spend her time in scientific research, perfecting a diving suit.

Ridicule is a superb costume drama with much modern relevance. The self regarding rich, just a few years away from destruction in the revolution, sit in their splendour ignoring everything but themselves. This contrasts sharply with the great scientific and philosophical achievements of the day, represented by Mathilde. The relationships between Ponceludon and the two main female characters, the treatment of Paul and the uncaring way in which lives are destroyed all show us clearly where the sympathies of the filmmakers lie.

Even so, it is difficult not to be sucked in by the spectacle and style of the court. The translators have done splendid work on the dialogue (crucial in a film centred around wit) and the court set pieces look superb. Not to mention the superb acting of Fanny Ardant, creating a character one can readily believe would be able to walk the political tightrope. We are made to know the spectacle is wrong, but it has a glamour and excitement which is seductive nonetheless.

Good old fashioned romance, political intrigue and a superb period look. Ridicule has all three aplently.

Review by Mark Brown
Taken from EUFS Programme 1997-98