IMPROMPTU

US, 1991, 109 minutes, Colour.
Judy Davis, Hugh Grant, Mandy Patinkin, Emma Thompson, Bernadette Peters, George Coroface, Julian Sands.
Directed by James Lapine.

Impromptu is a portrait of George Sand and, incidentally, Chopin. Audiences will remember the romantic A Song to Remember of 1945 with Cornel Wilde as Chopin and Merle Oberon as Sand. This film is more realistic - though it has touches of spoof and humour. While the characters are romantic 19th century characters, much of their dialogue echoes the concerns of the 20th century.

The film was directed by James Lapine, noted award-winning Broadway director. It was written by his wife Sarah Kernochan. The casting is offbeat with Australian Judy Davis as Sand, English Hugh Grant as Chopin. There are a number of guest stars including Julian Sands as Liszt, Anton Rodgers and Emma Thompson (excellent) as the Count and Countess. The Americans Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters portray the poet Demusset and Liszt's mistress Marie D'Agoult. (They worked with Lapine on Broadway musicals.)

The film is attractively set with an atmosphere of 19th century France. The film is also tempestuous in its presentation of relationships, artists with a vision of themselves and their gift, nobility trying to capitalise in society as patrons of the arts. It makes for a mixed portrait with satiric touches.

1. The tradition of musical biographies on screen? The '40s and A Song to Remember? The work of Ken Russell and his more flamboyant interpretations? Audience expectations?

2. 19th century France, costumes and decor? Dialogue - with modern touches? Ironic use of romantic 19th century attitudes?

3. The serious edge to the portrait, the humour, the atmosphere of 19th century novels - and romantic novelettes?

4. The portrait of Chopin, his background, artistic genius, life in France? Liszt and his friendship with Chopin? His own career and compositions? The references to the 19th century musical tradition?

5. The title, Chopin's Impromptu, creative art, spontaneity, studied composition?

6. Judy Davis's of George Sand (in comparison with that of Merle Oberon)? George Sand's reputation, her place in France, her donning men's clothes and people's reaction, freedom of thought, relationship? Marriage, child, lovers? Her romantic attitude of exclusive and steadfast commitment and love? Her literary style and repute? The credits of the film and George as a little girl, in the woods, her sacrifice? Her relationship with her mother, telling the story? Her divorce, her affairs, poets, tutors? Her hold over men and letting them go? Her need for money, discussions with her agent? The duchess and the invitation for the fortnight? Her hearing Chopin, the emotional response and swooning? Her arrival, shown the house, the desk for her work, dawn and her escape, the pursuit of the duchess, the horse falling and her shooting it on behalf of the duke? Their conversation? Her place in the household? Alfred Demusset and his carrying on, arrival in disguise, disrupting of the stay in the country? The excitable tutor, Mallefille? His passion? Her attraction towards Chopin, being with him, discussions, his resistance? Her letter? Her friendship with Marie, giving the letter to Marie and Marie using it as her own? The story of the bet? Chopin repulsed by her? Civilised behaviour, the croquet games etc? The play, the humiliation of the duke and duchess and Chopin's reaction? Their departure? Her return home, relationship with the tutor, things returning to normal?

7. At home, her writing, the publishing, the novel with the quotation from the letter, Chopin's realisation of the truth? Her visit to her mother, her mother's worrying about herself and her appearance? Her death? Her relationship with Chopin, frank talk, the build-up to the duel? Chopin's collapse, her shooting? The confrontation with Marie - and the irony of the dedication of Chopin's work to her? The decision to go to Spain, the relationship with Chopin, his hesitancy because of his health, the fulfilment of the relationship? A portrait of George Sand?

8. Chopin, Polish background, consumption, his skill with his music, shy and retiring, friendship with Liszt and playing music with him, the friendship with Marie? His hesitation about George Sand? His being part of the fortnight, the letter, his being hurt? The revelation of the truth, his committing himself to George, the collage of their relationship? The confrontation with the tutor, the preparation for the duel, his collapse, recovery? Going to Spain?

9. Liszt and his music, relationship with Chopin, relationship with Marie the children? His wandering life, composition and concerts? Depending on the duchess for hospitality? His going on the trip, his anger with Marie? Marie and the divorce? Seeing himself as inspired? Not wanting to be tied down by Marie and the children? Marie and her background, devotion to Liszt, seeing herself as a muse? Her many children, lies, anger, the final clash with Liszt, the irony of the dedication of Chopin's work to her - and her losing Chopin?

10. Delacroix and his art, part of the group, his painting, his relationship with the duchess?

11. Mallefille, the jealousy, the relationship with George, with the children? His anger with Demusset, the duel? His persecution of George, hounding of Chopin, the final duel?

12. Demusset, his overhearing George Sand in the publishers, his relationship with her, disguising himself as a servant, his drinking, the duel?

13. The duke and duchess and their wealth, wanting to be patrons of society, the French countryside? The duke and his ignoring everything and going hunting, the death of his horse? The duchess and her fluster, welcoming the guests, entertaining, cultivating people, the relationship with Delacroix, dressing in men's clothes for the party? The preparation for the play - and the mockery and their being hurt? The explosion and their injury? The ironic touches in their portrayal?

14. The background of the French aristocracy, the opening socials and George Sand's being present, the hostess and her fussing over the celebrity? The role of the aristocracy in 19th century France? Patronage?

15. The portrait of the children, their playing games - and re-enacting the French Revolution? A sense of French history, counterbalance to the adults?

16. A portrait of society, 19th century French art, the arts and patronage, inspiration, finance? An ironic portrait?