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**RELEASED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON BLU RAY AND DVD IN NORTH AMERICA** **GORGEOUS 2K RESTORATION** Born into poverty, Marquise (Sophie Marceau) is a promiscuous young woman who uses her exquisite beauty and seductive dancing to earn a living. When the distinguished Molière (Bernard Giraudeau) and his theatre troupe come to town, Marquise mesmerises the men, especially the lead actor, nicknamed Gros René, (Patrick Timsit), who falls in love with her and asks for her hand in marriage. She agrees on condition that she joins the group to become an actress. Gros René is deeply in love with his wife, and even accepts her on-going infidelities, until she meets Jean Racine (Lambert Wilson), while they are performing for King Louis XIV and his court. Although flirtatious in manner, Marquise carries honour and integrity in her heart. Following Racine's coaching, Marquise's acting talents improve dramatically, and she is at last able to perform the leading dramatic role in his play Andromaque. Bonus features include interview with director Véra Belmont and essay by Laurence Marie-Sacks. Review ------ NOMINATED - Grand Jury Prize - AFI Fest NOMINATED - Best Music - Cesar Awards OFFICIAL SELECTION - Toronto Int'l. Film Festival OFFICIAL SELECTION - Venice Film Festival --- Marquise is a sprightly costumer based on the fetching dancer-cum-thesp who dazzled Moliere, Racine and the Sun King himself before making a suitably theatrical exit in 1668 at age 35. Toplined by Sophie Marceau, the unpretentious dramedy manages to make viewers feel sophisticated and involved without requiring an advanced degree in French history. An attractive cast, bawdy subtext, lavish production design and peppy score are among the pleasures in Vera Belmont's energetically helmed pic... - Lisa Nesselson, Variety Marquise is an exuberant, sexy and rollicking entertainment. --Paul Fischer, Urban Cinefile This exuberant, bawdy film provides some marvelous ins into the theatre in one of its golden ages...a refreshing in into French history. - SBS Sophie Marceau is dazzling as the alluring Marquise: she captivates at every turn with her coquettish style and delicate beauty. Disarmingly casual about her morals, yet virtuous in spirit, Marquise is the very epitome of the femme ale: a goddess of feminine wiles, a bew enchantress. The entire cast is top notch, the production design excellent and the cinematography beguiling. --Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile