I hadn’t realised just how rare a period costume comedy was until writer and director Laurent Tirard introduced his film at EIFF last month. He said that you don’t see many films of this genre and I struggled to think of examples. Apart from the genre being surprisingly unusual, Tirard said he was influenced by Jane Austen’s work and that he wanted to adapt one of her novels but seeing as they have each been adapted countless times, he said he had to write his own. I booked a ticket for this film last minute and it turned out to be one of my favourites of the festival.
Feckless Captain Neuville declares his love for Pauline, who comes from a very wealthy family and asks her to marry him. He is then immediately called to war, but promises to write. Pauline’s older sister Elisabeth doesn’t believe him for a second. After months of no word from him, she decides to write as the Captain to ease her sister’s suffering. But the letters become far bigger than she anticipated, she creates a fantastical heroic tale of the Captain’s fictional adventures and eventual supposed death. Her sister happily marries someone else, has children and the town remembers their ‘hero’ and life moves on. Until one day, the Captain returns, but he has been stripped of his rank, penniless and living like vagrant. His sudden return causes problems for Elisabeth so strikes a deal with the coward who deserted the army. But instead, the ‘hero’ returns, playing the part that Elisabeth has created for him.
Jean Dujardin is the Captain is so utterly perfect in the role as a charming con man. Melanie Laurent is equally brilliant as the stubborn and independent Elisabeth and the two actors have such great chemistry. The pure comedy in the film is pitch perfect, from ridiculous situations to romantic comedy territory that is actually delightful to follow. There is also something uniquely spectacular about the costumes and the locations, with a story about lies and cowardice being played on this grand looking scale.
Another aspect of the film which I appreciate being a more than a device but an actual part of the character of Elisabeth was about her writing. Elisabeth is vexed by the Captain’s return because it would expose her lies but also because she is the true author to his stories which he takes delight in reenacting for his eager ignorant audience. Her desire to be discovered as the talented writer she is becomes more important to be revealed than the fact she lied. Her frustration that she cannot do everything she wants to do, even though she chooses not to marry, she can’t be the writer she wants to be because its not possible for a woman, is an important part of Elisabeth just as much as her sense of honour and the truth.
I’m really hoping that the film gets a general release in the UK as I think as Austen is always a winning in formula, the story and essence of the film would be very much appreciated. Fingers crossed!