Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageLe Roi de Paris (1993)
Director: Dominique Maillet
Movie review
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
Cast & crew
Director: Dominique Maillet
Producer: Jean Gontier
Cast: Phillipe Noiret, Michael Aumont, Manuel Blanc, Veronika Varga, Ronny Coutteure, Franco Interlenghi, Paulette Dubost, Sacha Briquet, Corinne Cléry, Jacques Roman full cast
Genre(s): Period/Swashbucklers
Duration: 102 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now