La Comedie Francaise ou L'amour Joue 1996
Distributed by Zipporah Films, Inc., One Richdale Avenue #4, Cambridge, MA 02140; 617-576-3603
Produced by La Sept/Arte & France and Ideale Audience
Directed by Frederick Wiseman
VHS, color, 223 min.
Adult
Theater, Language
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Charles Burkart, Head, Audiovisual Library, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVWhat a pleasant surprise to be asked to review a film by legendary documentary maker Frederick Wiseman. Mr. Wiseman is famous for his "cinema verite" documentaries. His numerous award-winning documentaries include Cool World (1963), Titicut Follies (1967), Hospital (1970) and Welfare (1975) His most influential documentary (Titicut Follies), a stark portrayal of conditions that existed at the State Prison for the Criminally Insane in Massachusetts, helped the movement to de-institutionalize the mentally ill.
Mr. Wiseman's latest documentary, La Comedie Francaise ou L'amour Joue, is about that venerable old French theatrical institution the Comedie Francaise. This film is a treasure trove of information about the intimate workings of a large French theater. It covers virtually all aspects of theater production: stage construction, rehearsals, meetings with the director, makeup application, wardrobe and costume design.
La Comedie Francaise is in French with English subtitles. French instructors will appreciate the view of the historic busts of France's greatest playwrights, the generous excerpts from plays by Marivaux and Moliere, and the actor's discussions on the nature of love. However, the documentary's depiction of stage construction, union negotiations, ticket sales and a visit to a home for retired actors may be of more interest to theater majors than Francophiles
If Mr. Wiseman has a single weakness in his many documentaries, it is his tendency to go on too long. This documentary lasts nearly four hours. Because of its length, the documentary has a vague, amorphous quality. Mr. Wiseman does breakup his film with views of Paris, the Seine, and the Comedie Francaise filmed at different times of the day, but the film lacks overall coherence and a sense of direction.
On the positive side, editing is first rate in La Comedie Francaise. Camera shots and angles are unobtrusive and interesting. The documentary was shot on film rather than video, and consequently picture quality is beautiful and clear. La Comedie Francaise is a polished documentary by a master film maker. Recommended for university level theater programs and advanced French language and culture classes.