Ridicule

In 1783 Versailles, men lived and died by their wits. This Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film begins with the startling scene in which an elderly man, near death, is visited by a victim of his stinging tongue. The visitor, relishing his revenge, urinates on the gentleman. Into this impolite society rides Gregoire, who desperately needs funds to drain a mosquito-infested swamp. But to catch the king's attention, he must master the art of verbal thrust and parry. When one observer notes, "He's smarter than he looks," our hero rejoins, "That is where we differ, monsieur." Wit is a rare commodity in American films, which makes this rudely funny comedy all the more bracing. Highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)