Over the weekend I watched the film Beaumarchais, l’insolent, a light-hearted picture of the historical figure Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732-1799). The central character is played by Fabrice Luchini, which is how I happened upon the work, as I was searching for more Luchini films to watch online after Le Mystère Henri Pick and Un homme pressé. The real Beaumarchais is best known as the author of the trilogy of stage plays The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Guilty Mother. The first two of these were adapted into even more well known operas (the central character Figaro is also the namesake of one of France’s major newspapers).
In addition to being a playwright, Beaumarchais was a member of the Court of Louis XV and was a spy in the king’s secret intelligence service. He was also an outspoken republican who supported the American Revolution actively, both with his own funds and those of the King. The tension between these three identities – royal spy, budding revolutionary, celebrated author – is what provides the movie with some semblance of a theme and coherent plot. But mostly it’s a fun romp through colorful episodes in the life of a late 18th century personality.
I liked the film. The language was largely accessible to me and I liked contrasting the younger Luchini with what I’ve seen of his modern career. The dialog was funny and the costuming pretty to look at. There were several scenes of gratuitous nudity which conforms to some French stereotypes. About 20 minutes of the film prominently features the historically real character Charles d’Éon de Beaumont, a French spy / diplomat / army officer best known today for being an overt transvestite. D’Éon has an interesting story all on its own.
In all, an enjoyable way to learn of some notable events and personalities in the closing days of France’s monarchy.