THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE

UK/Italy, 2001,
Mira Sorvino, Rachel Sterling, Ben Kingsley, Fiona Shaw, Jay Roden.
Directed by Clare Peploe.

The Triumph of Love is based on an 18th century play by Marivaux. This film version, designed for the British stage, is presented in the manner of a Shakespearian playing like A Midsummer Night’s Dream or As You Like It, action taking place in the woods and in a mansion. It also uses the device of cross-dressing for deception and falling in love.
The film begins with a very stage-centred presentation. Then there is a glimpse of a contemporary audience and the film audience is able to accept the artifice.
Enjoyment of the film will depend on the willingness to suspend disbelief, difficult for those who want realism.
Mira Sorvino, Oscar winner for Mighty Aphrodite, has an English accent which serves her well as the princess who disguises herself in order to win the king and restore order in the kingdom. Rachel Stirling is her maid. South African actor, Jay Roden, is the king. The success of the film depends on the performances by Ben Kingsley and Fiona Shaw as the philosopher and scientist brother and sister who are most grievously deceived and have to act in the manner of a love-struck Malvolio.
The film was adapted and directed by Claire Peploe, wife of Bernardo Bertolucci, who produced the film. The success of the film will depend on the sensibilities of an audience who likes this kind of contrived entertainment.

1. The film based on a play by Marivaux the? 1732? The atmosphere of France in those times, stylised comedies, dramas, mistaken identities, entanglements of love?
2. The adaptation of the play to the English stage? Language? Comedy of manners? The artifice of the plot, the characters, the complexities of relationships?
3. The staging, filmed like a play, the contrast between stage settings and close-ups? The emphasis on performance rather than characterisation? The glimpses of the audience during the film? The final curtain call? The song? The cast in 21st century clothes?
4. The title? The emphasis on love, pretense of love, deceptions, real love?
5. The discussions about love, emotions? The rational and the mind? The philosopher and his having to move out of his mind into emotions, the shock for him? The scientist and her having to move out of rationalisation, experiments?
6. The basic plot, as in a Shakespeare play, as in an opera? The kingdoms, rebellions, usurpers? The next generation? The king hidden away? The princess and her kingdom? Her wanting to end the division? Her glimpse of the king, her devices for marrying him?
7. The character of the princess, her age, elegance, beauty? Her relying on Corine? Her glimpse of the king, bathing, naked? Her infatuation, love? The encounter with Hermocrates, her plan? Their changing clothes to become men? She and Corine and the plan?
8. Their being accosted by Harlequin? His recognizing them? Their paying him off? His helping them to enter the property?
9. Hermocrates and his philosophy, keeping to himself, guiding the king? The encounter with the princess, recognising her as a woman, her exercising her wiles, his resisting, succumbing? The discussions about philosophy of love? Emotions? His becoming very emotional? The gift of the portrait? His proposal? Keeping it a secret from Agis? His making a fool of himself? His relationship with his sister, their discussions, scientific inquiries, listening to her, her story of the engagement? Their plans to go to town and to marry?
10. Leontine, her age, studying with her brother, scientific experiments, spinster? Wary of emotions? The encounters with the princess, her spinning the story, flattery and charms, Leontine being susceptible? Wanting her to stay? The scenes of wooing and flattery? Leontine and the portrait, making a fool of herself? Not realizing the princess was a woman?
11. Corine, her support, the attraction to Harlequin? Involved in the intrigues?
12. Dimas, his accosting the couple, working in the garden, spying for Hermocrates, the women paying him off, his collaboration?
13. Agis, his age, experience, isolated? Seeing him bathing? Seeing him at his archery? The princess the target? The welcome to the princess, as a friend, not suspecting she was a woman? His anti-love philosophy? Explaining it to the princess? Her revelation of who she was, his response? His being confused? His wanting his friend to stay? The new friendship with a woman? The effect on him?
14. The buildup to the climax, the brother and sister going to the city, the princess’s revelation, her beginning to have a change of heart, her apology? Her arrival dressed as the princess? Everybody bowing to her? Her declaration to the king? His angry reaction? Her departure?
15. The brother and sister, going back to their studies, Hermocrates and his emotions and fingering the statue? Leontine and her successful experiment? The joy together?
16. Agis, contemplating, pursuing the coach, kissing the princess, happy ever after?
17. The curtain call reminding everybody that this was an artificial entertainment?