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Impromptu | Year: 1991 Directed: - James Lapine Actors/Actresses: - Judy Davis - Hugh Grant Comedy, adventure, romance -- something for everyone Impromptu is one of those rare films that has a bit of something for everyone yet blends seemlessly into a vibrant and engrossing story. Set against the backdrop of high culture in Victorian England, the movie adresses ideas the themes of love, friendship and deceit as it traces the unlikely love affair between Madame George Sand and Franz Chopin. Had the movie recieved a larger release, memorable performaces by Bernadette Peters, Julian Sand, Hugh Grant, Mandy Petinken and Emma Thompson could have gotten the recognition they richly deserve. Witty, well paced, georgeously shot, outrageously funny and superbly acted, this movie is one you'll want to watch again and again. Don't miss this romantic very entertaining comedy! "Impromptu": What a dry sounding name for such a lively movie! When this film was in theaters in 1991, I gave it little notice (even if Siskel and Ebert loved it). Then several years later the whole Jane Austen craze hit, and I was seduced into giving period pieces a view. Not to mention Hugh Grant had become all the rage in "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Period piece + Hugh Grant = giving it a view. I LOVED IT. First of all, if you are expecting a calm, quiet, "polite" film, you will be surprised. This film is based on the real life of Madame George Sand, the scandalous 19th Century French novelist, played brilliantly by Judy Davis. Sand is no Jane Austen creation: She uses the f-word (though not to excess), has sex with whom she chooses, and is more likely to wear pants (which required permission by the French government at the time) than dresses. She is also charming, romantic, and intelligent. Her friends are the famous artists of the time: painter Eugene Delacroix and composer Franz Litz (amongst others, including Litz's conniving lover, played by Bernadette Peters). As a result, this film is far more of an unrepentant romp than anything you would expect for the time and place (though this film is far from ribald-- I believe it earned its overly cautious MPAA rating of PG-13 for the aforementioned, infrequent use of the f-word). Emma Thompson gives a positively hilarious performance as a provincial society "title tart." Mandy Patinkin, does equally as well as the ex-lover (and novelist Malfie) of Sand. Hugh Grant plays the composer Fredric Chopin. He is the polar opposite of Sand. Chopin is a man who is as delicate and refined as any French court ladies of the day. This, of course, appeals to the tougher-than-nails Sand, who finds Chopin's music to be the "voice of God." Chopin is rather troubled by the romantic attentions of such a woman, and a comedy of errors ensues. This movie is especially appealing because it has all the romance of the best Jane Austen film adaptations, while having such a wonderfully (dare I say) feminist character as Sand. Not that anyone will read any "message" in this film; you will be too busy being entertained. This film was out of print for some time, and I paid $100.00 for my copy as a result. Don't make the same mistake I made. Buy "Impromptu" now while you can. It is a film worthy of many repeated viewings. a delightful, delicious film "Impromptu" is truly one of the great little-known films. It is set in 18th century Paris, and stars Hugh Grant as Chopin and Judy Davis as George Sand. Others in the cast are Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and a then unknown Emma Thompson. The story revolves around a week-end in the country at the home of a silly, bored woman (Miss Thompson), who wants to have some zest in her life, so she invites the literati of Paris to her home. They include Franz Liszt and his mistress (Miss Peters), Eugene Delacroix, and a poet or two. The week-end is the beginning of the famous Sand-Chopin romance. It is more fantasy than fact, but it is hilariousy funny, wonderfully romantic, and beautifully filmed. Directed by James Lapine with the gorgeous music of Chopin and Liszt. Mr. Grant is perfection as Chopin, and Miss Davis matches him all the way. Miss Peters is at her zany best. This film is truly a treasure. Eccentric novelist pursues composer in romantic comedy "Impromptu" is a delightful historical romance about the long, tumultuous love affair between composer Frederick Chopin and novelist George Sand. It is not a biography, for the movie's script takes great license beyond the basic dates and places. The affair might have happened this way, but most probably did not. None of this much matters, though, because the movie doesn't pretend to be strictly accurate historically and because it does a good job of capturing the spirit of the times and of its characters. Judy Davis is marvelous as George Sand, a brilliant, eccentric woman who eschewed the social mores of her time. Already tired of her current lover, she is more determined than ever to dump him after she meets and falls in love with Chopin, nicely played by Hugh Grant. Chopin is portrayed as being a rather shy, morally upright [and uptight!] man who is taken aback by Sand's assertive nature and odd habits, which include dressing like a man most of the time. Undeterred by his thwarting of her advances, she pursues him relentlessly, almost getting him killed in a duel in the process. Playing an active part in all these goings on - sometimes for Sand's quest, sometimes against it - are Chopin's great friend Franz Liszt [Julian Sand] and his lover, Marie [Bernadette Peters]. Both Sand and Peters have substantial supporting roles, as do Emma Thompson and Mandy Patinkin. The cast alone makes "Impromptu" worth seeing. Also enjoyable is the soundtrack, almost all of which is taken from Chopin's works. As history, this movie is dubious. As entertainment, it's first rate. It reminds me somewhat of "Emma", in that it is more comedy than drama. Buy Impromptu at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Impromptu Search with the Priority Search Engine on Impromptu This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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