Tolérance

This movie touches the very heart of human feelings and human condition. It asks a very controversial question: what does the word tolerance mean? In a very tortured self-questioning way, Horace (Rupert Everett) will change his life as a religious hermit into a life of luxury and extravagance. As with everything else in his life he is determined to go to the very end...

Tolérance went unnoticed. If you believe that popularity is the measure of cinematographic success, you can pass.

If you believe that magnificent gems might be discovered in the mines of oblivion from time to time, Tolérance is worth the quest. The whole movie revolves around French XVIIIth century concepts with a totally remarkable talent. The title (toleration) gives a clue to a pure joy of a scenario which culminates in an unforgettable twist, exposing the darkest side of prejudice and the brightest one of redemption. It is so subtly constructed that, as a discreetly manipulated spectator, you're very likely to shamefully end up on the wrong side of human sentiments, just before the enlighthening final climax.

The casting is in perfect harmony with the exceptional characterization, quite a feat given the immense heterogeneity of the leading parts. Assembling Italian, English and French actors works perfectly well and adds an adequate cosmopolitan strength to the story line. Tognazzi IS Dionysos, Brochet IS innocence and Everett IS redemption. They are all magnificent.

Photography and soundtrack (where Everett's wonderful soft-spoken French leaves a lasting imprint) are impeccably executed and seeing this ungratefully ignored gem again and again will reveal sophisticated new angles time after time, as all masterpieces do.

Do it justice: see it.