Popular television celebrity Gauthier Valence embarks on a train journey to France’s L’Île de Ré with a clear mission in mind: convince his old friend Serge Tanneur to return to the stage in the lead of Molière’s The Misanthrope. The task is not that simple, as Tanneur, a once-renowned comedian, went into exile three years prior, living in a dilapidated house bequeathed by his uncle. He is sick of his vocation, burning every script that he receives. For good and bad, a five-day struggle ensues to bring the great man out of the shadows.

After The Women on the 6th Floor, Philippe Le Guay brings us another delicious, smart and cruel comedy about the pleasures of playing with words, arguing, discussing and rehearsing a play. Ego, pride and vanity guide this tender face-to-face between stars Lambert Wilson and Fabrice Luchini, two brilliant comedians fully in their element in Molière and his misanthrope. The windy and sunny Brittany setting and its appealing inhabitants add to Cycling with Molière’s universality.

—Frédéric Boyer

Directed by

Philippe Le Guay