The whole story revolves around the beguiling novelist, George Sand (Judy Davis) and the emotional fallout from her past and future romantic conquests. Past conquests being composer/pianist Franz Listz (Julian Sand), novelist Félicien Mallefille (Georges Corraface) and poet Alfred de Musset (Mandy Partinkin). Future conquests being one, composer/pianist Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant).
Sand is presented as a femme fatale. Problem is ... she just isn't. The movie doesn't capture her supposed charms. I'm not sure I liked her, much less fell victim to her charms.
As for Chopin: Vanilla. Non descript. Absolutely no insight into his genius or motivations. He's the protagonist's love interest but he plays as a minor character. I'm not sure I liked him, much less felt convinced of his genius.
The movie starts as a romantic farce and seems to be going for a 'Start-the-Revolution-Without-Me' vibe (1970. Gene Wilder. Amazing. Rent it!) in which Duchess d'Antan (Emma Thompson) is presented as a dotty, but likable, fan girl. She seems important to this romantic farce but then - when the movie turns from romantic farce to just movie-of-the-week - she kinda just disappears.
Countess Marie d' Agoul (Bernadette Peters) is the unhappy, perpetually pregnant lover of Franz Liszt but no explanation is ever offered as to why they'd be together. She's tired, bored and without any stated talent or attraction. If not for Bernadette Peter's natural charisma, I wouldn't have bought this relationship at all. (Fun fact: when I Googled Agoul, I learned she had, in fact, been an author and historian. That was not communicated).
Like day-old soda, Impromptu promised a good time but, ultimately, fell flat.
Sand is presented as a femme fatale. Problem is ... she just isn't. The movie doesn't capture her supposed charms. I'm not sure I liked her, much less fell victim to her charms.
As for Chopin: Vanilla. Non descript. Absolutely no insight into his genius or motivations. He's the protagonist's love interest but he plays as a minor character. I'm not sure I liked him, much less felt convinced of his genius.
The movie starts as a romantic farce and seems to be going for a 'Start-the-Revolution-Without-Me' vibe (1970. Gene Wilder. Amazing. Rent it!) in which Duchess d'Antan (Emma Thompson) is presented as a dotty, but likable, fan girl. She seems important to this romantic farce but then - when the movie turns from romantic farce to just movie-of-the-week - she kinda just disappears.
Countess Marie d' Agoul (Bernadette Peters) is the unhappy, perpetually pregnant lover of Franz Liszt but no explanation is ever offered as to why they'd be together. She's tired, bored and without any stated talent or attraction. If not for Bernadette Peter's natural charisma, I wouldn't have bought this relationship at all. (Fun fact: when I Googled Agoul, I learned she had, in fact, been an author and historian. That was not communicated).
Like day-old soda, Impromptu promised a good time but, ultimately, fell flat.