'Je serais heureuse, je n'aimerais jamais'.
Balzac's 'La Comedie Humaine' is a monumental, unrivalled chronicle of French society from the 1790's to the 1830's and contains over two thousand characters.
In 1834 appeared 'La Duchesse de Langeais' which forms part of the trilogy 'Les Treize'.
Allegedly based upon the Duchess of Castries with whom Balzac had a failed affair Antoinette de Langeais is one of his greatest creations and ranks alongside Sanseverina in 'The Charterhouse of Parma' by Stendahl and the Princess of Cleves by Comtesse de La Fayette.
This particular adaptation is by playwright Jean Giradoux who has been pretty faithful to the original. The ending is changed however and the element of Freemasonry has gone.
Director Baroncelli is very fortunate here to have the services of Edwige Feuiliere in the title role, an artiste of extraordinary depth, elegance and grace.
Anyone who saw her on stage is indeed privileged.
Playing Armand de Contriveau is Pierre Richard Willm. He convinces as a proud, arrogant blockhead who realises too late the treasure he has lost.
Excellent support also from Aimee Clariond and Charles Granval.
Such a pity that a proposed film with Greta Garbo as the Duchess to be directed by Max Ophuls never came to fruition.
At least here we have Mlle Feuillere's magnificent performance immortalised on film for which we should be truly thankful.
The Princess Beaumont-Chauvry here is Catherine Fontenay. Over fifty years on Edwige Feuilliere was to come full circle by playing this role in a television production.
- brogmiller
- Jan 31, 2020