Alexander Dumas (Gerard Depardieu), one of the most famous writers in France (and interestingly, though not brought up in the film, of mixed race -- just a little factoid), does not write alone. Some would call his associate, Auguste Maquet (Benoit Poelvoorde) his ghost writer, meaning he does all the writing and lets Dumas put his name on the work. Others might call him a collaborator since Dumas contributes lots of ideas and even pages of prose. But it is questionable of any of Dumas' efforts end up in the published novels. No one actually says anything about their relationship since no one knew about it. It's obvious why Dumas was the front man. He was flamboyant, outgoing, even outrageous. He lived beyond his means, threw great parties, and if his lovers alone were all literate and could buy his books, his financial success would be assured. Dumas did have one particular close relationship -- with his secretary, Celeste Scriwaneck (Dominique Blanc), who was his rock and from whom he carefully guarded his more lascivious secret life. On the other hand, Maquet seemed more like a staid college professor, which he actually was. He was a good husband and family man who had never strayed and was critical of Dumas' dalliances. That is until he met Charlotte Desrives (Melanie Thierry) who, due to a switch of hotel rooms between Dumas and Depardieu, begs the wrong writer to get her father released from prison.
Here is where we start to see a reversal of character which is intriguing and surprising. Maquet is so infatuated with this much, much younger woman that he risked relationships with wife, family, and Dumas, even his freedom and his life to win favor with Charlotte while Dumas proves his true loyalty and deep love for Celeste. Maquet becomes impetuous and fool hearty while Dumas turns out to be the stable, cool thinking guy who stabilizes a risky situation.
Both Depardieu and Poelvoorde are sublime as these diametrically opposed yet deeply dependent figures. Mid-18th century France is beautiful and still in political turmoil after the revolution and Bonaparte's failed empire building. It teeters between a renewed revolution and loyalty to the re-established monarchy. Again, these are times that try men's souls. Both Dumas and Maquet are swept into it; Dumas because of his prior youthful stance on freedom fighting, Maquet because of his infatuation for this femme fatale. The denouement is exciting and unexpected. Notice all my French words?
Dumas (France)
Director: Safy Nebbou
Writer: Gilles Taurand, Safy Nebbou
Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Benoit Poelvoorde, Melanie Theirry, Dominique Blanc
Time: 105 min.
Rated:
Playing at the Mill Valley Film Festival at the Sequoia on October 8, 9:30 pm, and October 11, 4:45 pm
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