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Le Roi de Paris (1993)

Director: Dominique Maillet

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From Time Out Film Guide

Victor Derval (Noiret) rules the turn-of-the- century Parisian stage, and projects equal pomp off it. Walking home after a good night's work (audience enraptured, playwright enraged) he's approached by a young woman, Lisa Lanska (Varga), who wants him to know how he's inspired her. She's first patronised, then bullied, and finally charmed into his bed and employed as his secretary, sending the usual society tongues wagging. More vexing is the reaction of Derval Jr (Blanc), a dissolute poet languishing in his father's shadow, who also takes a shine to the girl. Lisa elopes with him, but harbours theatrical ambitions of her own. A showcase for the imposing talents of Noiret - it's directed and co-written by his biographer, Dominque Maillet - this grandstanding melodrama offers little else of remark. Characterisation is thin - and none of the other actors comes close to Noiret's standard - while the drama's distinctly long in the tooth (remember All About Eve). Grasping at straws, however, there's an intriguing hint of tension between stage and screen in a couple of scenes, which see the impresario sneering at the nascent rival art form while taking its money.

Author: NB 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide