Impromptu

With such a stellar cast and interesting subject (not to mention high marks on this site), it seemed this picture would be a delight and a treasure. Instead the plot is very short, tediously dragged out by the repetition of the same scenes over time: The Publisher's Room, The Ex-Lover, The Duel, The Come-On, The Visit. The best part of the film, where Emma Thompson delights as a daffy duchess, has no relationship to the rest of the picture. Themes are begun but never finished, and as the end credits ran, I cried out loud, "That's *it*?" I was willing to put up with the repetition in the hopes that the ending would somehow tie up the loose ends or show character development, but instead it was just plot, plot, plot. The actors played their parts well (I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Grant's performance) but this is a film of no texture or depth. Definitely no reason to see it again.

I absolutely loved this movie. It was really enjoyable. The other thing that i would have against it, was that no one ever called Chopin by his first name. Which was really unusual, as everyone else was addressed by their first name, and friends don't really call their friends by their last name. If only they had called Chopin, Frederic, then i wouldn't have a single thing to say against it. I thought that the acting was done very very well, and all of the actors portrayed very believable and at times very funny characters. Malfie certainly provided a lot of laughs, as did most of the other characters. I highly recommend this film to everyone, and i give it a 10/10.

I came to this movie looking for a glimpse into the lives of the four artists: Chopin, Sand, Delacroix and my favourite Liszt and got much more than I bargained for. The setting is Paris of the 1830s, where the kids play "Cowboys & Indians" as "Revolutionaries & Noblemen", where hysterical aristocrats are back to hosting soirees and honourable men are fighting the last of the duels. Obviously no possibility of spoilers, with the narrative based on actual events, so most of the entertainment arrives in the form of fabulous performances, a terrific cast and of course gorgeous piano notes. But the biggest surprise is the humour. Ranging from subtle to farcical, it serves to gulp down the dose of human emotions and failings nicely. Watch it if you like literature or art or classical music or history, but watch it if you like subtle entertainment on a Sunday afternoon.

Impromptu is one of the more charming, lighthearted period movies I have come across. If you are expecting a sweeping drama, prepared to be disappointed. Some people might not like this film, as it lacks some of the lengthy, tragic dialogue and overly melodramatic style that many period films have. If you are looking for something fun for the whole family, this is it. Judy Davis' role as George Sand is strong, and she delivers her character with the perfect amount of gusto. Hugh Grant performance as Fredric Chopin is priceless, and he makes himself very endearing and believable as the timid composer. Bernadette Peters performance as the jealous and spiteful Marie D'Agoult is marvelous - you leave the movie feeling quite annoyed by her character, which is exactly what I imagine the director wanted from her character! The costuming and set designs are exquisite, as is the cinematography, and backs the actors wonderfully.

I liked Impromptu, I liked the characters, their development, the setting, the costumes. I like it all. It was a genuinely funny film. The kids, the duel, the horse's commentary were priceless gems. The story was well written and the acting was outstanding. George Sand (Judy Davis) a very independent character falls for Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant) a sensitive basket case who is a genius when it comes to the piano. I understand this is a true story. I hope the original was as fresh and funny as the movie portrayal.

This film is a little different than most "period" films in that its characters, although known historical figures, are real people and certainly not above swearing, throwing fits, drinking, smoking or carousing. A wonderful comedy romance with an outstanding performance by Judy Davis as George Sands. It is also interesting to note how closely the plot of this movie resembles that of Renoir's classic "Rules of the Game": 1) group of romantically and socially inbred cityfolk go to the country, 2) romantic and social inbreeding continue in the country, 3) people slipping from room to room, 4) mistaken identity, 5) hunting in the woods, 6) big hunting scene, 7) gender-bending, 8) poking fun at the upper classes, and 9) climactic theater performance chock full of satire and causing some conflict. This similarity can be no accident.