The Miser

This person is a star of comedy, truly showing a prowess in the toughest genre, celebrated in France and the world, and so forth. Just this is a video filmed thing which I thought was a TV movie at first, nothing at all that is ok, just that wondering why it just was not filmed on regular film, some of the "sets" look drab and dingy. Otherwise this shows more histrionics from Funes. Also (I watched a version where Russian is being dubbed over and my mom is translating) I am told this is done with a Shakespearean language, which I am ok with this marmalade jargon. But I also like plain spoken lucid usual.

Adapting a literary source to another medium requires some work, it is not just copying it. Molière's play has a brilliant text, but this attempt to translate it to a film keeping the traits of theater was a serious failure. Both in the kind of set (not only simple but explicitly suggesting it is a stage) and in the way of acting (overacting, often campy), the conception of tgis movie is made clear, but it does not work.

A splendid Harpagon, high respect for Moliere text, a not conventional scenography and a seductive end. A great play, a wise adaptation of it and the genius of louis de Funes.

As a huge fan of Louis de Funès, I had high hopes for The Miser, but unfortunately, this adaptation fails to capture his usual charm. The story, based on Molière's classic play, feels overly theatrical and stagnant, with little to keep the audience engaged.

De Funès, known for his high-energy performances, seems constrained by the material, unable to inject his signature comedic flair into the role. The pacing is slow, and the humor often falls flat, making the film feel more like a dull stage production than a lively cinematic experience. While de Funès shines in many other films, The Miser is a rare miss that's difficult to recommend, even for devoted fans.

Louis de Funès was certainly a shoo-in for the role of the irascible, mean and greedy Harpagon. The setting is somehow bizarre, but Molière's text is scrupulously respected. Filmed theater is usually taboo among movie critics and amateurs, but this experiment is both pleasurable and successful.If you want to discover Molière, this is the movie to see.