Marguerite

[kevinknapman]

Beating Stephen Frears take on the real life terrible opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins into cinemas is this enjoyable and classy French film that offers a fictionalised account of the story.

I had gone into this expecting a simple frothy comedy about a bad opera singer with a broad comic caricature at its centre but in the hands of director Xavier Giannoli and actress Catherine Frot you get quite a complex and moving study of a woman whose delusion as to her actual talent is indulged by several people close to her for very different reasons.
Admittedly the singing scenes themselves are often played for maximum comic potential but Frot skilfully conveys the loneliness and sadness of Marguerite once she steps out of the limelight (and deservedly won a Cesar for her efforts). She is also supported by a fine cast with standout performances from Dennis Mpunga as her protective and faithful butler and Michel Fau as a washed up opera singer/teacher.

It is a little overlong perhaps and a subplot involving a young opera singer and her relationship with the opera critic who encourages Marguerite feels superfluous and underdeveloped.

Despite that I really enjoyed this. An engaging, beautifully shot and often very moving film, it also benefits from the move from New York to Paris with its still lingering revolutionary spirit and animosity between classes.
It will be interesting to see what Frears and Meryl Streep can bring to the material. In the meantime here's hoping this finds the audience it deserves.

[stuartboy]

No idea why with a title like marguerite was I surprised that it was in foreign and with writing on it! D'oh. I mean it's not like it was called Maggie or something. Only mildly annoyed by this, but only because the subtitles were very low on the screen, and some big tall held bloke plonked himself right in front of me just as it began.

I enjoyed this even if it was overlong. It could easily have been an hour shorter.

Any ideas why husband's car always broke down at the same place on the road - beside a grave/cross?

No idea what the point of the bearded lady was.

So where was the sex and smut and nudity? I'm sure I didn't sleep and missed it.
The certificate said it was a 15 with sex scenes, strong sexual nudity and language. Apart from a nipple in a bath I saw none of this. Maybe it was edited for the genteel Picturehouse audience!

5/10

[mupton]

No idea why with a title like marguerite was I surprised that it was in foreign and with writing on it! D'oh. I mean it's not like it was called Maggie or something. Only mildly annoyed by this, but only because the subtitles were very low on the screen, and some big tall held bloke plonked himself right in front of me just as it began.

I enjoyed this even if it was overlong. It could easily have been an hour shorter.

Any ideas why husband's car always broke down at the same place on the road - beside a grave/cross?

No idea what the point of the bearded lady was.

So where was the sex and smut and nudity? I'm sure I didn't sleep and missed it.
The certificate said it was a 15 with sex scenes, strong sexual nudity and language. Apart from a nipple in a bath I saw none of this. Maybe it was edited for the genteel Picturehouse audience!

5/10

Sex scene - the Butler having the bearded lady on his basement table...

[stuartboy]

But that was literally a split second, fully clothed, and not revealing in the least....?

[ladams888]

Saw this yesterday at Clapham Picturehouse. I really enjoyed it but, with slightly better editing, it could have easily been about 30 minutes shorter. I was expecting it to be a comedy but it was more poignant that that. I really felt for Marguerite, the deluded, extremely wealthy “opera singer” as she really had no idea that she couldn’t reach a note, let alone hold one. It reminded me of the story of the Emperor’s new Clothes – as nobody dared to tell her she couldn’t sing. All of her so-called “friends” took advantage of her – and they let her sponsor their music society until someone better came along and then they dumped here like a hot brick. She truly loved her husband and was reluctant to start a performance if he wasn’t around. Although he was very protective of her and didn’t want her ridiculed, that didn’t stop him having an affair. There was some (mostly) lovely music and the film contained some wonderful characters – Marguerite herself (Catherine Frot), her ubiquitous butler, Madelbos (beautiful played by Denis Mpunga) and her voice coach, Atos Pezzini (Michel Fau). The film was fiction but based on the real-life story of Florence Foster Jenkins (a film about whom stars Meryl Streep and is shortly to be released). 8/10

[youpigirl]

Saw this yesterday in Greenwich. Absolutely loved it. Very touching, poignant and comical. All at the same time. A well deserved Ceasar for Catherine Frot. Highly recommended. 10/10

[pcRock]

Saw this on Sunday in Brixton. Really enjoyed this film: it's funny and touching, and the acting is really good. 8/10

[prettyxcool]

Saw this yesterday at Clapham Picturehouse. I really enjoyed it but, with slightly better editing, it could have easily been about 30 minutes shorter. I was expecting it to be a comedy but it was more poignant that that. I really felt for Marguerite, the deluded, extremely wealthy “opera singer” as she really had no idea that she couldn’t reach a note, let alone hold one. It reminded me of the story of the Emperor’s new Clothes – as nobody dared to tell her she couldn’t sing. All of her so-called “friends” took advantage of her – and they let her sponsor their music society until someone better came along and then they dumped here like a hot brick. She truly loved her husband and was reluctant to start a performance if he wasn’t around. Although he was very protective of her and didn’t want her ridiculed, that didn’t stop him having an affair. There was some (mostly) lovely music and the film contained some wonderful characters – Marguerite herself (Catherine Frot), her ubiquitous butler, Madelbos (beautiful played by Denis Mpunga) and her voice coach, Atos Pezzini (Michel Fau). The film was fiction but based on the real-life story of Florence Foster Jenkins (a film about whom stars Meryl Streep and is shortly to be released). 8/10

Well said ladams888. Saw this at Central PH, and I too thought it was overlong, but such a sad, sad story. Thought all her supposed "friends" were all so cruel and the one person who she craved love from she did not get it. But on the other hand, it was hilarious! Fantastic acting from all round, and have to admire Catherine Frot having to sing off key! 8/10

[midian]

i also really loved this. agreed a well-deserved Ceasar for Catherine Frot. such an expressive face. hopefully more awards for the rest of the team to come. costumes were a delight!

in another review they pointed out that recordings are available of the inspiration for the rich baroness - Florence jenkins whose voice is not for delicate ears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtf2Q4yyuJ0

9/10