Cycling with Molière

Such a quite smart comedy that doesn't try to win over viewers at any cost, but targets those who enjoy well-acted characters, a drama that isn't that intense, or rather isn't taken too seriously, and scenes that can pleasantly surprise. In the end, however, it's more enjoyable than great. (13/06/2016)

Have you ever had the feeling of déjà vu? Something previously seen or experienced? This inconspicuous film quickly reminded me of one of the masterpieces of the American independent scene - The Station Agent by Thomas McCarthy. Two men, one woman, the search for a way to each other, and comedic and dramatic elements in one. However, there is a crucial difference. Both films are about friendship, but The Station Agent is a positive film that feels like an uncritical tribute to pure friendship devoid of any ulterior motives or sexual sparks, whereas Bicycling with Molière gradually takes on a darker tone and eventually comes across as an example of selfish behavior that kills true friendship. Friendship requires generosity and tolerance, which the protagonists of the French film are unable to show in decisive moments. The male ego is great and artistic vanity is immense... Bicycling with Molière is a small, intimate, and civically conceived film about one meeting, from which something great could have been born if its protagonists were able to suppress their pettiness. Overall impression: 70%. (10/06/2015)

A beautiful and properly made French dialogue movie that builds on the two lead roles portrayed by actors that I hadn’t even known well before I saw this film – Fabrice Luchini and Lambert Wilson. They dispute, argue, converse and get angry about Moliére but also about ordinary human things, which I sometimes enjoyed more and sometimes less. Especially that speech in Moliére’s language through his play seemed a bit tiresome to me. I almost thought that I would fall asleep. But eventually the ending arrived which split things in half the standard French way and I had a lot to think about before sleep. I didn’t expect that and I was the more pleased with this film. It’s not as simple as it seems at first sight and I cannot but recommend it in an attempt to pull it up into red numbers on this site! (10/05/2017)

Humor is not the main focus of this excellent conversational movie, but there are a few funny moments. One of these is the scene when they turn on the outdoor hot tub: this lightens the mostly dramatically strung story wonderfully. Acting-wise, the excellent Fabrice Luchini really got under my skin with his portrayal of Serge, who doesn’t just act the part of Molière's Misanthrope, but is absolutely in tune with his mindset, unlike his slightly devious friend Gauthier, in a precise performance from Lambert Wilson. (80%) (21/10/2022)