Impromptu [Blu-ray]

Director: James Lapine James Lapine

Overview

Judy Davis stars as French novelist George Sand in this romantic comedy, set among a loose-knit society of writers, artists and composers living in mid-19th century Europe. After converging on the country estate of the Duke and Duchess d'Antan (Anton Rogers and Emma Thompson), Sand and her friends--poet Alfred DeMussett (Mandy Patinkin), painter Eugene Delacroix (Ralph Brown), and composers Franz Liszt (Julian Sands) and Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant)--spend their summer coping with romantic folly and enriching the tastes of their hosts.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2015
UPC:	0887090109208
Original Release:	1990
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Olive
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Judy Davis	George Sand
Hugh Grant	Frederic Chopin
Bernadette Peters	Marie d'Agoult
Mandy Patinkin	Alfred de Musset
Julian Sands	Franz Liszt
Emma Thompson	Duchess d'Antan
Georges Corraface	Mallefille
Ralph Brown	Eugene Delacroix
Anton Rodgers	Duke d'Antan
Anna Massey	Sand's Mother
Jezabelle Amato	Inn Keeper's Wife
Claude Berthy	Chopin's Valet
David Birkin	Maurice
Georges Bruce	Doctor
Andre Chaumeau	Priest
Jean-Michel Dagory	Inn Keeper
Joanna Merlin	Actor
Nicholas Hawtrey	Philosopher
Isabelle Guiard	Princess
Fernand Guiot	Butler
Sylvie Herbert	Sophie
Francois Lalande	Local Doctor
Ian Marshall DeGarnier	Editor
Annette Milsom	Ursule
Nimer Rashed	Didiar
John Savident	Buloz
Stuart Seide	Clerk
Lucy Speed	Aurore
Elizabeth Spriggs	Baroness Laginsky
Fiona Vincente	Solange
John Lyons	Actor

Technical Credits

Sarah Kernochan

James Lapine	Director
Mario Luraschi	Stunts
Jean Nachbaur	Executive Producer
Stuart Oken	Producer
Gilbert Pieri	Special Effects
Daniel A. Sherkow	Producer
Sarah Kernochan	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Literary and historical purists may likely be annoyed by Impromptu, as its accuracy is highly suspect, but audiences looking for a light romantic farce with a barbed edge will find it quite rewarding. Director James Lapine shows a very sure hand in his film debut, keeping the many inter-relationships of the large cast clear and always making sure the audience doesn't get lost amid the amorous complications. Bruno de Keyzer's cinematography, understated but effective, also helps, giving the film a distinctive look and feel. And Sarah Kernochan's screenplay is quite witty. (When George Sand's former lover tells her "You promised to love me," she dismisses him with a simple "I didn't promise to succeed.") Best of all is the cast, led by Judy Davis in another fully realized portrayal. She pulls the role of Sand on as if it were a second skin, creating a character that is wild, strong willed, exasperating, offputting, unorthodox, endearing and at all times original. Hugh Grant and Mandy Patinkin, both of whom can be overly mannered, turn in fine performances, Bernadette Peters is a petulant joy, and Emma Thompson is a surprise in an atypical role. Although there are some flaws -- for example, many will find the "rape" scene involving Delacroix to be in questionable taste -- overall Impromptu is a sparkling, refreshing little film.