Beaumarchais the Scoundrel (Beaumarchais, l'insolent) (1996)
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70% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(157 ratings)
This sumptuous French drama offers episodes from the notorious life of 18th century socialite and playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. The story begins in the 1770s with a rehearsal of his "The Barber of Seville." Young friend of Voltaire, Philipp Gudin introduces himself to the great… More This sumptuous French drama offers episodes from the notorious life of 18th century socialite and playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. The story begins in the 1770s with a rehearsal of his "The Barber of Seville." Young friend of Voltaire, Philipp Gudin introduces himself to the great playwright and offers to become his personal secretary. He then becomes the adventurous Beaumarchais' keeper as the author gets involved in a variety of situations including a duel with an angry husband, his battle with the corrupt French government and a serious long-term affair with Marie-Theres de Willer. It all comes to a climax when King Louis XV assigns the playwright a secret mission to London. There he must find and retrieve a damning document from transvestite aristocrat Chevalier D'Eon. Unfortunately, Beaumarchais gets tangled up with supporting American rebels and ends up tossed in jail. Louis XVI sees that he is finally released and then the writer becomes an arms smuggler for American revolutionaries. All of his activities bankrupt him and so Beaumarchais must return to writing plays. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.
- Directed By
- Edouard Molinaro
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Art House & International
- In Theaters
- Mar 20, 1996 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 15, 1998
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Here is a lavish and charming film about a decade in the life of the multi-talented eighteenth century playwright and political activist
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Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
A very witty, farcical comedy-drama that plays fast and loose with historical fact.
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David Luty, Film Journal International
Little more than a series of innocuous adventures that just happen to be inhabited by the same character.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
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Fabrice Luchinias Pierre Caron de Beaumarchais -
Manuel Blancas Gudin -
Jacques Weberas Duke of Chaulnes
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Sandrine Kiberlainas Marie-Therese -
Michel Aumont -
Jean-François Balmeras Sartine
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