Fortunately, the Rex cinema in Berkhamsted shows the best foreign films, and De La Comedie Francaise is one of these. It's only an hour and fifteen minutes long, but if they just slowed down their conversations just a little bit, it would have been far longer. The film is a clever comedy; the cast and production team are in their final rehearsal on the day of opening night of Macbeth, or should I join then and say, "the Scottish play"? We are inside the "oldest active theatre company in the world". There is a great cast, but even better is the plot. The ups and (mainly) downs of the young director Nina Cardi, played by Pauline Clement, as she arrives on her bike and is not allowed in as she has mislaid her pass. She needs a final run through if she can ever get the cast together at the same time. All of them have various hang-ups, not to mention the truly awful stage manager who seems to argue every suggestion.
Yes, there are lots of laughs in this farce; there are reminders of the play Noises Off, but this is different in many ways. One of the ushers is this young Black guy who is waiting for the result of his application for the French equivalent of RADA, whose reply he should have received hours ago, but when the lead actor collapses, his knowledge of the part is so perfect he will get his big chance. Or not. Towards the end, the bewildered director Nina meets Moliere of all people who complains about Shakespeare being performed in his theatre. At first Nina does not recognise him until he goes and stands next to his portrait. Their conversation might be the highlight of the film. Even later when the audience is taking their seats, the visiting dignitary actually wishes them all "good luck", and you can guess what happens when the performance starts. A wonderful film.
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