Ridicule

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Ridicule

R

1996

1h 42m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Moved by the difficulties faced by peasants living in the mosquito-ridden swamplands near Lyon, aristocratic engineer Marquis Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy devises a plan to drain the boggy land. But to gain an audience with King Louis XVI in Versailles, he learns he must impress the royal court with his verbal wit. Drawn into a world of ever-shifting alliances where words are used as weapons, the Marquis begins to lose sight of his noble intentions.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

3.5/4

Imagine a time when all compliments are two-faced, when every truth is tinged with irony, when insults are the currency of humor. We have more in common with the 18th century than we might imagine.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Jan 1, 2000

4/4

Audiences will respond favorably to its overall warmth, and the motion picture academy may, too.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Apr 10, 2026

B-

[An] enjoyable and perceptive French comedy.

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Michael Dwyer

Irish Times

Feb 19, 2019

One of the sturdiest, most entertaining French films of recent years...

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

May 14, 2018

Despite its elaborate costumes and wigs and its comedy-of- manners verbal games, ``Ridicule'' exhibits passion as well as style.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Dec 5, 2005

4/5

Beautifully dark, funny and nasty.

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Scuba S

@RT48696983 Dec 14, 2023

It's neat, has funny dialogue and scenes mired with symbolism, all while keeping the plot simple and understandable.

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Thomas M

@TMProofreader Nov 25, 2022

Best international movie ever made!

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william d

@acsdoug Aug 3, 2021

I give the film makers some points for coming up with a truly original story, but I just don't think it was good enough to recommend.

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Dec 19, 2020

Its a bit of a backhanded complement to say this is my favorite Charles Berling movie where his annoying acting style actually fits his character and brings an uncharacteristic sympathy; Judith Godreche is lovely although the movie cover art belies her rather non-glamorous role. Fanny Ardant is note perfect as is Jean Rochfort

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Sep 21, 2019

Boring. Overrated. Total waste of time.

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Jun 30, 2016

The opening scene is unforgettable! To this day...at thought, the visual returns with great drama.

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Patrice Leconte

Director

Charles Berling

Le Marquis Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy

Jean Rochefort

Le Marquis de Bellegarde

Fanny Ardant

Madame de Blayac

Judith Godrèche

Mathilde de Bellegarde

Bernard Giraudeau

L'Abbée de Vilecourt

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71%

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Synopsis

Moved by the difficulties faced by peasants living in the mosquito-ridden swamplands near Lyon, aristocratic engineer Marquis Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy devises a plan to drain the boggy land. But to gain an audience with King Louis XVI in Versailles, he learns he must impress the royal court with his verbal wit. Drawn into a world of ever-shifting alliances where words are used as weapons, the Marquis begins to lose sight of his noble intentions.

Director: Patrice Leconte
Producer: Frédéric Brillion, Philippe Carcassonne, Gilles Legrand
Screenwriter: Rémi Waterhouse, Michel Fessler, Eric Vicaut
Distributor: Miramax Zoë, Miramax Films, Miramax Home Entertainment [us]
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 1996, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 13, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.5M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround

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