Fanfan la Tulipe (2003)
Directed by Gérard Krawczyk

Film Review

This insipid remake of a 1952 classic starring Gérard Philipe and Gina Lollobrigida was produced and directed by the same team that brought us Taxi 2 and it is clearly intended for the same easily pleased audience.  Luc Besson's shallow comic book humour decimates what would otherwise have been a pretty mediocre script and Gérard Krawczyk's direction lacks the inspired touch that he showed in earlier work such as L'Été en pente douce (1987). Serious enthusiasts of the French historical drama are advised to go elsewhere; this one is for alcopop-saturated teenagers with nothing better to do with their time.

Vincent Perez does a pretty good job as the eponymous swashbuckling hero, but his overly choreographed fight scenes look increasingly camp as the film progresses, to the extent that you almost expect him to break into a version of the Monty Python “Lumberjack Song” at any moment (well, it would explain Fanfan's reluctance to get married…).  Penélope Cruz's performance has the flatness and texture of an anorexic pancake, although, to be fair, the dialogue she is given is pretty atrocious and would probably turn a greater actress than she to stone.  The one area where the film does just about pass muster is its handful of action scenes - the fights are energetic and exciting, albeit needlessly gory (in the Grand Guignol sense).

Whilst the jokes are generally awful (and would even make an alcopop-saturated teenager cringe), there are a few places where the comedy works well.  Didier Bourbon gives an interesting - and entertaining - interpretation of Louis XV, whilst Hélène de Fougerolles is divine in the part of Madame de Pompadour.  It may lack the panache, wit and intelligence of Christian-Jaque's 1952 film, but this blockbuster remake does at least have a few things going for it.

Film Synopsis

In 18th century France, Fanfan la Tulipe is a young man who just can't help attracting women.  This state of affairs suits him fine - until the fateful day when one of his more insistent female admirers, a farmer's daughter, looks set to force him into the yoke of holy matrimony.  The prospect of marriage is not one that Fanfan can bear, so he willing throws himself into the arms of a recruiting sergeant for the army of King Louis XV.

Military life appeals to the adventurous and impulsive streak in Fanfan, who, putting too much credence in a gypsy's prophecy, has convinced himself that one day he shall marry one of the king's daughters.  Fate certainly seems to be nudging him in this direction.  By driving away a band of fierce outlaws who are attempting to hold-up the royal coach, Fanfan at once wins the favour of not only the king's mistress, Madame de Pompadour, but also his daughter, Henriette...