Triumph of Love

For the first time since winning an Oscar for 1995's Mighty Aphrodite, Mira Sorvino shows the comic touch and spark of a star. In this adaptation of Pierre de Marivaux's 18th century play, Sorvino plays a princess who falls in love with the strapping young ward (Jay Rodan) of a famous philosopher (Ben Kinglsey). Since the philosopher's teachings have warned his ward against romantic love, and his politics have turned him against the princess (who usurped the lad's rightful throne), she must not only disguise herself as a man to visit her stud muffin at his estate, but also feign love for the philosopher's spinster sister (Fiona Shaw). No, Sorvino is never convincing as a boy, but that's part of the film's central joke (that love can overwhelm reason with great ease), and the central set-up--in which the princess has to play three different parts to woo three different suitors--is the stuff of classic farce, performed here with a light touch by the magnificent cast. Although director Clare Peploe (wife of director Bernardo Bertolucci) has made little effort to expand the play beyond the confines of its Tuscan villa set, this is an under-appreciated work, and one well staged here. Recommended. (D. Fienberg)