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Le Tartuffe
Orgon is a man of property duped by the false piety of the penniless Tartuffe. Orgon takes him into his house, believing him a paragon of virtue. Orgon orders his daughter to reject her fiancé and marry Tartuffe. First Dorine, the family servant, tries a strategy to avert the marriage; then Orgon's son tries his hand. They anger Orgon, and to prove paternal power, he disinherits his son and makes Tartuffe his heir. Next Orgon's wife tries to bring her husband insight, a stratagem that partially backfires. With the bailiff at the door ordering Orgon to vacate his own home and with Tartuffe at court to prove Orgon's a traitor, all seems lost.
Insights
Plot Summary
This French comedy-drama is a lavish adaptation of Molière's classic play, "Tartuffe." Set in 17th-century France, it tells the story of Orgon, a wealthy patriarch who becomes infatuated with the pious and seemingly devout Tartuffe. Despite warnings from his family and friends, Orgon invites Tartuffe into his home and entrusts him with his fortune and his daughter's hand in marriage, leading to a series of manipulative schemes and comedic deceptions.
Critical Reception
Gérard Depardieu's directorial debut, "Le Tartuffe," was met with mixed to positive reviews. While some critics praised its opulent visuals and the performances of its star-studded cast, others found its lengthy runtime and faithfulness to the original play to be somewhat ponderous. Nevertheless, it was recognized for its ambitious scope and its faithful translation of Molière's satirical wit to the screen.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its lavish production design and faithful adaptation of Molière's play.
Noted for strong performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Gérard Depardieu.
Some found the film's length and pacing to be a drawback.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this 1984 film adaptation is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Gérard Depardieu, who also stars as Tartuffe, directed this film as his directorial debut, showcasing his versatility beyond acting.
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