Let Joy Reign Supreme

Bertrand Tavernier’s (Life and Nothing But) Let Joy Reign Supreme_, is a “rich, ambitious” (Newsweek), extraordinarily detailed and character-dense look at French monarchy, diplomacy and debauchery on the threshold of bloody insurrection. Tavernier’s favorite leading man Philippe Noiret (_Life and Nothing But, Cinema Paradiso) plays the infamous Philippe d’Orleans, uncrowned king of a nation divided by appalling poverty and riddled with greed and conspiracy.

In the year 1720, Philippe d’Orleans rules France as regent to the late Louis XIV’s pre-teen heir. Socially liberal but financially reckless, Philippe stokes his treasury with profits from France’s American colonies Louisiana and Mississippi, even while attempting to administer domestic justice with a slightly even hand. But Philippe’s strongest allegiance is to a barely concealed private life of outrageous hedonism and sexual appetites. Witness and provocateur in both whorehouse debauches and court functions is Abbé Dubois (Jean Rochefort), Philippe’s scheming would-be archbishop. When a hapless noble’s one man secession lands him at the steps of the Paris gallows, Dubois’ lust for power and Philippe’s obsession with his beautiful young goddaughter create a political pressure cooker that could lead to invasion, revolt or war.

Rochefort’s brilliant turn as the gleefully treacherous Dubois and Christine Pascal as Philippe’s orgy accomplice and confidant Emilie lead a supporting cast of bottomless enthusiasm and charisma. A miraculous fusion of unabashed ribaldry, even-handed history, extravagant production values and directorial restraint, Let Joy Reign Supreme “is sumptuously beautiful, delightfully intelligent, genuinely wicked and witty.” (The New Republic) –Kino