Triumph of Love (2001)

48% of critics liked it
(71 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(1,446 ratings)

A beautiful princess (Mira Sorvino) whose throne is threatened falls in love at first sight with the rightful heir to the throne, a lonely young man named Agis (Jay Rodan), in Clare Peploe's romantic comedy Triumph of Love. The film was adapted from an 18th century play by Marivaux. Peploe's… More A beautiful princess (Mira Sorvino) whose throne is threatened falls in love at first sight with the rightful heir to the throne, a lonely young man named Agis (Jay Rodan), in Clare Peploe's romantic comedy Triumph of Love. The film was adapted from an 18th century play by Marivaux. Peploe's husband, Bernardo Bertolucci, co-wrote the script and produced the film, which was shot, mostly handheld, on 16 mm. Sorvino plays a princess whose father murdered the father of Agis and took his power. Her enemies are preparing to correct that historical wrong, but when the princess boldly investigates, she finds herself smitten with the handsome Agis. Agis has been raised by a vainglorious philosopher, Hermocrates (Ben Kingsley), who kept Agis secluded on his estate for his own safety. Hermocrates has furthermore sternly taught Agis that romance and love are the downfall of the intellectual, and that women in general are not to be trusted. Hermocrates also has a retiring spinster sister, Leontine (Fiona Shaw of Harry Potter), who conducts science experiments in her spare time. The princess, accompanied by her faithful handmaiden, Hermidas (Rachael Stirling, the daughter of actress Diana Rigg), disguises herself as a male philosophy student, Phocion, in order to infiltrate Hermocrates' household. She plans to both revenge herself on her enemies, and win the hand of Agis, uniting her kingdom. In this guise, she befriends the naïve Agis and seduces the fragile Leontine. Hermocrates, however, immediately recognizes her true gender. Still, she manages to appeal to his gigantic ego, explaining that she's madly in love with him, and believes that only his genius can show her the wrongfulness of that state. As the threads of her plan chaotically and comically come together, the princess finds herself haunted by her own conscience. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Clare Peploe
Written By: Agnese Zeltina, Marilyn Goldin, Bernardo Bertolucci
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 12, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Oct 29, 2002
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
I was periodically put off by a certain self-consciousness of delivery.
Beth Pinsker, Boston Globe
The characters in Triumph of Love are trifles, so that the farcical situation, which depends on the audience buying quick changes of heart -- like falling in love in an instant -- has no resonance.
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
In short, a film dependent on deception relies on the Clark Kent school of disguise, and it doesn't work.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
It could have been something special, but two things drag it down to mediocrity -- director Clare Peploe's misunderstanding of Marivaux's rhythms, and Mira Sorvino's limitations as a classical actress.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
The kind of nervous film that will either give you a mild headache or exhilarate you.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
The entire cast is first-rate, especially Sorvino.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Okay princess story -- nothing special.
David Noh, Film Journal International
The characters jabber away, the premise becomes ever more improbable, and you may well find yourself drifting to sleep.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Great fun.
, Empire Magazine
Nope.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
This gender-bending romp is enjoyably witty, even if it feels rather long and pointless.
Susan Michals, FilmStew.com
It is the audience who will feel duped even more than the characters in the film.
Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle
A concoction of airy artifice.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Failed experiments are in general very educational, but that doesn't mean that you have to see it.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Sorvino, Stirling and Rodan are fine as the youth contingent, but the film belongs to Kingsley and Shaw.
Marcy Dermansky, About.com
Never has a costume drama been so much fun.
David Nusair, Apollo Guide
...the close-to-two-hour running time stretches this decidedly thin premise much further than it has any right to.
Michael Dequina, Film Threat
The Triumph of Love is, indeed, a triumph of love: love of performance, love of joy, and, above all else, love of love itself.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
A frivolous flutter through the art of seduction, Triumph of Love is a visually sumptuous costumer set in exquisite gardens and villas in Tuscany. Worth seeing for its gorgeous setting alone, this lively farce about politics, position and passion allows
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
...unspeakably, unbearably dull, featuring reams of flatly delivered dialogue and a heroine who comes across as both shallow and dim-witted.