Réalisation:
Philippe Le GuayPhotographie:
Jean-Claude LarrieuMusique:
Jorge ArriagadaActeurs·trices:
Fabrice Luchini, Lambert Wilson, Maya Sansa, Camille Japy, Stéphan Wojtowicz, Christine Murillo, Josiane Stoléru, Julie-Anne Roth, Ged Marlon (plus)VOD (3)
Résumés(1)
Au sommet de sa carrière d'acteur, Serge Tanneur a quitté une fois pour toutes le monde du spectacle. Trop de colère, trop de lassitude. La fatigue d'un métier où tout le monde trahit tout le monde. Désormais, Serge vit en ermite dans une maison délabrée sur l'Île de Ré... Trois ans plus tard, Gauthier Valence, un acteur de télévision adulé des foules, abonné aux rôles de héros au grand coeur, débarque sur l'île. Il vient retrouver Serge pour lui proposer de jouer «Le Misanthrope» de Molière. Serge n'est-il pas devenu une pure incarnation du personnage d'Alceste ? Serge refuse tout net et confirme qu'il ne reviendra jamais sur scène. Pourtant, quelque chose en lui ne demande qu'à céder. Il propose à Gauthier de répéter la grande scène 1 de l'Acte 1, entre Philinte et Alceste. Au bout de cinq jours de répétition, il saura s'il a envie de le faire ou non. Les répétitions commencent : les deux acteurs se mesurent et se défient tour à tour, partagés entre le plaisir de jouer ensemble et l'envie brutale d'en découdre. La bienveillance de Gauthier est souvent mise à l'épreuve par le ressentiment de Serge. Autour d'eux, il y a le microcosme de l'Île de Ré, figée dans la morte saison : un agent immobilier, la patronne de l'hôtel local, une italienne divorcée venue vendre une maison. Et l'on peut se prendre à croire que Serge va réellement remonter sur les planches... (Pathé Films)
(plus)Critiques (4)
Have you ever had the feeling of déjà vu? Something previously seen or experienced? This inconspicuous film quickly reminded me of one of the masterpieces of the American independent scene - The Station Agent by Thomas McCarthy. Two men, one woman, the search for a way to each other, and comedic and dramatic elements in one. However, there is a crucial difference. Both films are about friendship, but The Station Agent is a positive film that feels like an uncritical tribute to pure friendship devoid of any ulterior motives or sexual sparks, whereas Bicycling with Molière gradually takes on a darker tone and eventually comes across as an example of selfish behavior that kills true friendship. Friendship requires generosity and tolerance, which the protagonists of the French film are unable to show in decisive moments. The male ego is great and artistic vanity is immense... Bicycling with Molière is a small, intimate, and civically conceived film about one meeting, from which something great could have been born if its protagonists were able to suppress their pettiness. Overall impression: 70%.
()
A beautiful and properly made French dialogue movie that builds on the two lead roles portrayed by actors that I hadn’t even known well before I saw this film – Fabrice Luchini and Lambert Wilson. They dispute, argue, converse and get angry about Moliére but also about ordinary human things, which I sometimes enjoyed more and sometimes less. Especially that speech in Moliére’s language through his play seemed a bit tiresome to me. I almost thought that I would fall asleep. But eventually the ending arrived which split things in half the standard French way and I had a lot to think about before sleep. I didn’t expect that and I was the more pleased with this film. It’s not as simple as it seems at first sight and I cannot but recommend it in an attempt to pull it up into red numbers on this site!
()
It's quite a clever comedy that doesn't try to win over viewers at all costs but targets those who appreciate well-acted characters, drama that isn't as intense or isn't taken as seriously, and scenes that can pleasantly surprise. Ultimately, though, it ends up being enjoyable rather than great.
()
Humor is not the main focus of this excellent conversational movie, but there are a few funny moments. One of these is the scene when they turn on the outdoor hot tub: this lightens the mostly dramatically strung story wonderfully. Acting-wise, the excellent Fabrice Luchini really got under my skin with his portrayal of Serge, who doesn’t just act the part of Molière's Misanthrope, but is absolutely in tune with his mindset, unlike his slightly devious friend Gauthier, in a precise performance from Lambert Wilson. (80%)
()