The Return of Martin Guerre starring Nathalie Baye, Gerard Depardieu
Director: Daniel Vigne


Essential Actor / Actresses Here

Amazon.com
While many ugly Americans best remember Gerard Depardieu from late-'80s Hollywood fluff (and the less said about Green Card the better), his art-house reputation as a legitimate, conscientious actor was more than mere hype. The Return of Martin Guerre (Le Retour de Martin Guerre) stands as Depardieu's personal high-water mark: here, he was handed a well-written, nuanced role--one inviting a balanced display of intelligence, charismatic cool, and pure passion--and he makes the most of it. The narrative, set in medieval France during the Hundred Years' War, follows the alleged homecoming of a soldier after many years of absence. His wife (a structurally difficult role to portray with any skill, but played gamely here by the fetching Nathalie Baye) finds him such an improvement--both in the sack and otherwise--from the husband who left for the front that she ignores the villagers' suspicions that he is an impostor. The costumes and scenery are quite a bit better, and more historically responsible, than what we've all come to expect from period drama, and the logical flaws and obvious questions begged by the plot mechanics are smoothed out by director Daniel Vigne's steady hand with story art and cinematic pacing. The film was remade in English, and updated to the Reconstruction, in 1993 as Sommersby, starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster. See this original instead.
Synopsis
Based on a true story from 16th century France, "The Return of Martin Guerre" tells the tale of a man who, after a pre-arranged marriage, abandons his family -- but then, following an 8-year absence, suddenly returns to the his native village. However, Martin's personality has mysteriously changed; where once he neglected and abused his wife, Bertrande, he now acts lovingly and gently toward her. This startling transformation leads some of Martin's relatives to suspect the man of being an impostor. Bertrande insists otherwise, despite mounting evidence against her "husband". Soon the villagers have dragged Martin and Bertrande to court in order to uncover the truth.

Video Description
A provocative medieval mystery about a young man who unexpectedly returns years after abandoning his wife, and attempts to resume his marriage. Winner of three French Cesars. Remade in America as "Sommersby." Academy Award Nominations: Best Costume Design.

 

 

 

 

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