Title: Lady J (Mademoiselle de Joncquières)
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Emmanuel Mouret
Starring: Cécile de France, Edouard Baer, Alice Isaaz
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
What It Is: Young Madam de La Pommeraye (de France) is a widow who has been assigned to the court of the Marquis des Arcis (Baer). Many years have now passed and the notoriously philanderous Marquis tires of their “arrangement”. A little hurt Madam de La Pommeraye plots revenge on the Marquis. She enlists the help of Madame de Joncquières and her young daughter the titular Mademoiselle de Joncquières in order to enact this.
What We Think: It’s all a bit stuffy but in such a way that it totally works. The dialogue is fluid and even though it’s in French the subs do a great job of telling their story. I enjoyed the film as a whole but there are a few snafus that make it less than stellar. For one the story loses a bit of steam in the middle third. The acting isn’t bad. It figures another foreign film would be one that brings Netflix it’s next really good original. Mouret certainly plays well in this period and the film is better for it. Not being familiar with Mouret’s work I think is helpful but now I definitely want to be.
Our Grade: B-, A winner in most regards. If you love period pieces this is one to enjoy. If you don’t then perhaps you should give it a shot because the story is funny and engaging. This gets a slight recommendation from me based on the film as a whole. This one will begin airing on Netflix February 8th. Make sure to mark your calendars for it period piece fans it’s one not to miss.