Just Love! (2013) - full transcript

Orleans, Thursday 27 March.

My Dear Friend,

The idea of marrying our children
pleases me.

But I don't know

what you will think of this idea
of my son's.

He has asked to be allowed
to visit your house

disguised as his valet,

while his valet takes his role.

Dorante is aware of
the gravity of his commitment

and hopes
that his temporary disguise

will allow him to know
your dear daughter better.



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the performance,

please also switch off
your mobile phones. Thank you.

Just Love!

Freely adapted from

Marivaux's Game of Love and Chance

Why are you
speaking on my behalf?

I thought on this occasion
you'd feel

as anyone else would.

Your father asked me
if you agree to his idea of marriage,

if it pleases you.
I answered that it does.

It's not for you to anticipate
my heart.

My heart is like any other.



What makes yours
such a rare specimen?

If she dared,
she'd call me "original".

If I had your status,
then we'd see.

You vex me, Lisette.

I don't mean to.

What harm did I do
in telling your father

that you'd be glad to marry?

First, you didn't speak the truth.

I'm happy to be single.

And what if he's not to my taste.

You won't marry your father's choice?

I don't know.

They say he's chosen
a very honest gentleman.

In his prime...

kind, handsome...

of true intent

and of excellent character.

Could you want more?

Could you imagine
a sweeter marriage,

or more pleasing union?

Yes. In your own description.

And what people say
is no more than words.

Who really knows him?

Men often give false impressions.

Especially those of true intent.

Mr So-and-So seems gallant
and is thought honest.

Mr So-and-So seems gallant...
So they said of Ergaste.

His demeanour spoke true.

Trust in that gentle,
kindly demeanour,

which in a flash changed

into something dark,
pinched and brutal

and cast fear through the house.

Ergaste married.

His wife and children
only know his dark side,

while others know
the gentle demeanour,

that we were shown.

Is Léandre not pleasing to the eye?

But at home,
he is taciturn:

he never smiles or scolds.

He is icy, withdrawn and aloof

and inspires tedium and boredom
in those around him.

Is that a pleasant husband?

Your account is chilling to hear.

And Tersandre?

As yes... Tersandre...

Yesterday, I arrived
and was shown in.

I was greeted by a pleasing,

well-mannered young man.

He conversation
was deliciously light.

He smiled
with his eyes and his mouth.

Dishonesty.

He had just finished
chastising his wife.

I found her, dejected,

ashen-faced, her eyes red with tears.

I found her as perhaps I will be.

I pitied her, Lisette.

As perhaps you will pity me.

Lisette serves Silvia.

She dresses her styles her hair,

washes her clothes
and tidies her room.

She keeps company
when Silvia grows bored.

Lisette lives above Silvia,
in a little attic room.

Her life pleases her;

she knows no other.

Lisette has no dreams

other than marriage.

A husband...

1.45 pm, Boulevard des Batignolles.

My daughter,

I know marriage frightens you,

the more so
as you don't know Dorante.

Dorante is here to marry you.

On my last trip out of Paris,

his father and I
agreed your marriage,

provided you both
like each other.

Your kindness
is overwhelming, father;

I will obey you.

I command it.

But may I be so bold
as so to request a favour

that would greatly reassure me.

Speak. I will grant you all I can.

My wish is within your gift,
but I fear I ask too much.

Ask, please.

To be good enough,
I will be too good.

Could I see Dorante

and inspect him
without him knowing me...

Lisette could play along.

She could take my place,
while I took hers.

I don't know what you will think

of this idea of my son's.

He has asked to be allowed
to visit your house

disguised as his valet,

who will himself
take his master's role.

Dorante recognizes
the gravity of his commitment,

and says that he hopes
this temporary disguise

will allow him to know

your dear daughter better.

Mario, your sister,
is concerned to know Dorante better.

She doesn't know his plan,

and has herself asked
to play the same trick

and observe Dorante, just
as Dorante wants to observe her.

What do you say?

What do you advise?

Should I tell your sister?

Things have happened this way,

so I will not change them.
We should let them both

follow their ideas.

Perhaps he will like my sister,
even as a maid,

and that will please her.

I allow your disguise.

Are you sure you can do it?

I, father?

You know who I am.

For their greater comfort
and convenience,

The eminent Mr Orgon
decides to put everyone up

at the Westminster,
on the Rue de la Paix.

2nd arrondissement
Rue de la Paix

Hôtel Westminster

Orleans-Paris, 1.07 pm.

4.32 pm: Dorante announces
himself at reception.

Mr Orgon.

I'm here to marry.

The formality of the ceremony

is all that remains.

It's a formality worth
thinking about.

Yes, but only once.

I'll tell Mr Orgon.

And my wife, too.

Tell her that I can hardly wait.

An angel passes.

Silvia invites him to be seated.

Dorante doesn't dare.

"Excuse me."

Dorante secretly
rehearses his role as valet.

No-one comes.
He looks at the paintings.

You have surely been informed.

I serve Mr Dorante,

who has sent me with his respects

while he awaits you himself.

You serve him well.

Lisette, what do you think
of this young man?

Me?

I think he is promising
and very welcome here, sir.

I do my best, Miss.

"Miss"?
Is that really necessary?

Address each other
as befits you.

You're "Lisette".

And what is your name?

Bourguignon, at your service.

So, Bourguignon.

So, Lisette.
At your service, Madam.

Why do you speak so formally?

I await permission
to speak otherwise.

Please, address me as you wish,
Bourguignon.

Thank you, Lisette,

and I ask you to do likewise.

He's well mannered.
A lucky maid will have him.

What is this princess
in servant's clothes?

We'll see how
she handles herself.

It should be quite a show.

Tell me, Lisette,

is your lady as fine?

Leave love aside,
and let's be friends.

No more?

Both of your requests
are impossible.

They must be done.

They say I'm to marry
a man of means,

and I have sworn to attend
to no others.

And I have sworn the same
for women.

I will only love
a woman of high society.

Stick to your plan.

Perhaps I'll be able to.

Not all know their status.

I wanted to say something,
but I've forgotten what.

You have made me forget myself, too.

- Goodbye.
- Lisette...

Meanwhile,
Lisette awaits instructions.

Yes?

Evening.

My good sir,

do excuse our lateness.

Please, it's nothing.

My daughter is dressing.

Shall we take some refreshment?

I never say no to a drink.

Bouffes Parisiens

The following morning.

Silvia slept well in her little bed.

Dorante is keen to see her.

Arlequin, still buzzing,
hasn't slept.

Lisette, nervously does her lashes.

They get back in character.

Sir.

What is it, Lisette?

I have to speak to you.

What is it?

I must explain to you

certain things
you should know.

It's my duty.

- It must be serious.
- It is. Very.

You allowed Miss Silvia's disguise.

I thought it was nothing,

but I was wrong.

If you don't take things in hand,

your future son-in-law won't want

to marry your daughter.

You think he won't
appreciate my daughter's charms?

That's not what I mean.

But you're underestimating mine.

Oh! My compliments, Lisette.

Please don't make fun of me.

I tell you again:

Dorante is feisty.

He likes me a lot.

First he'll love me.
Then he'll adore me.

If he does, let him marry you.

What?

- You won't stop him?
- No.

Be careful, sir:
I've been holding him back.

I could let him run wild.

Dig your spurs in...
Marry him, if you like.

You can have him.

They said they'd bring
my wife and her father.

You mean Mr Orgon
and his daughter.

Yes. My wife and her father.

I'll tell Mr Orgon.

- You mean my father-in-law.
- Not yet.

- I'm here to marry.
- It's not done yet.

Well, I like that!

The Westminster, 4 pm.

Did my daughter speak to you?
Does she like him?

She's sad and dreamy.

She wants me to turn him away.

I say you can't.

How is the valet behaving?

Does he like my daughter?

He's unusual.

He's taking airs with her,
because he's handsome.

He looks at her and sighs...

Does that trouble her?

You're wrong.

A valet wouldn't bother her.

She blushes.

Tell her the valet
is turning her against his master.

She blushes.

If she gets angry...

- It's my business.
- She blushes.

You promised me...

I gave you instructions.

I'll do better.

I'll be sad. I'll cry, if I have to.

Chance is strange.

They're both out of place.

Silvia's dislike of Arlequin
is limitless.

As for Dorante...

No! No!

No!

The idea of marrying Lisette
is a nightmare.

Arlequin is

following his heart.

Dorante reflects.

"I'm falling in love."

Dorante's awkwardness
attracts Silvia.

She blushes...

While the would-be lovers
are falling in love.

Silvia plays her role.

But she's not fooling anyone.

Silvia can't accept
that she's falling for Dorante.

"A high-society woman
can't love a valet."

Arlequin is starting
to believe the dream.

Dorante is angry
and warns him off Lisette.

Stay back.

Be serious. Dissatisfied, even.

Hear me?

Arlequin has to renounce
his love.

The rules are decreasingly clear.

Silvia?

Look at me.

You seem embarrassed.

Me, father?
Why would I be embarrassed?

I'm quite the same as usual.

It's just your imagination.

Something's bother you, my sister.

Something in your head?

I don't think so.

Is that boy the source

of the disdain you have
for his master?

Who? Dorante's servant?

Yes.

Young Bourguignon.

Don't talk to me about him.

We thought he must have
turned you against him.

I'd like to speak to you about that.

There's no point.

Nobody turned me against him.

Come on now. That's a bit strong.
Someone must have helped you.

What strange ideas you have.

Who do you think
might have helped me?

What a mood you're in, my sister.

I'm fed up with this role.

People look at
and speak to me

in the strangest manner.

You're the strange one.

You're so worked up
I hardly recognize you.

That must be why

Lisette told us what she did.

She said that the valet
had not spoken

highly of his master and...

Madame defended him
so vehemently

that I still feel shocked.

It was the word, "shocked,"
that seemed strange.

Impertinence.

That girl is quite despicable.

I admit that I defended him
from a sense of justice.

That's not wrong.

What have I done?

Are you playing with me?

- Calm down.
- No, father.

I will not calm down.

You're accusing him wrongly.

You're wrong.
Lisette is crazy.

He's innocent.
And that's it.

The valet is the only one
under suspicion.

Dorante should sack him.

Oh, this disguise!

If only I could declare myself.

The only thing I ask,
my daughter,

is that you know the man
you're refusing.

Wait a while longer.

You'll thank me for it.

I tell you, you'll marry Dorante...

willingly.

I still can't believe
what I heard him say.

Lord knows what servants
must really think of us.

They treat us so badly.

I can't get over it.

I can't stand to
think of his words.

They frighten me.

He's a valet.

It's so strange.

Bourguignon.

That's who I'm so worked up over.

It's not his fault.

That poor boy...

I shouldn't be cross with him.

Silvia dreams of Dorante...

And Dorante has fallen for Silvia.

He loves her.

He dreams of her at night...

and during the day.

But Silvia avoids him.

It causes him pain.

And her, too.

"Who could I love instead..."

Suite 418, 3.08 pm.

Someone is here.

Sir.

May I speak to you?

It's your valet.

See what he wants, sir.

Just one word, sir.

If says two, I'll sack him.

- Excuse me, my queen.
- Go ahead...

Dorante has gone out
to calm down.

"Why won't you see me?"

"Leave me!"

"But Lisette!"

"No, I can't!"

Silvia needs to talk.

Meanwhile, suite 328.

- Yes?
- Ah, Madame.

I was going to say

something nice,
but my mind's gone blank.

It'll come.

- Do you think so?
- Good question.

What can I do?

I'm burning up.

Give me just a few words...

Tell me you love me.

Well...

I love you.

Maybe you'll love me less
when you know me better.

I'm not what you think.

Remember:
we don't control our destiny.

Swear eternal love.

With all my heart.

A husband.

Someone's coming.

- What do you want?
- To speak to you.

Come back in fifteen minutes.

I have to speak to my lady, sir.

You can't come in like this.

It's very important.

- Send her away.
- Come back in a minute.

- But, Madame...
- You're starting to annoy me.

Let me calm you down.

These servants...

You're brave to put up with him

without trying
to foist him on me.

My word...

I can't do two jobs at once.

Either I'm the lady or the maid.

I order or I obey.

As he's not here,
I speak as your lady.

I don't like that man.

You've hardly seen him.

His manners don't need
to be seen twice.

I don't want him.

You'll get me out of here

by telling that young man
you won't marry him.

I can't, Madame.

You can't?
Why ever not?

Mr Orgon forbade me.

- Forbade you?
- Absolutely.

Then convey my distaste to him.

But what is so disagreeable,
so off-putting

about him?

He displeases me,
as does your reserve.

I've never seen you like this.

I can't feel your distaste.

Remember who I am.

- What is this?
- I don't know.

Five minutes later, vestibule.

I have to go.

Bourguignon, leave it...
I shouldn't care...

and I don't.

I don't want you.

I don't and won't love you.
That's how I feel.

That's awful.
You're torturing me.

Goodbye.

I should have gone immediately.
If you only knew my condition.

It couldn't be as strange as mine.

- What don't you like?
- Nothing.

Tell me a hundred times
you won't love me.

I beg you.

Bourguignon, get up.
Someone might come.

I don't hate you. Get up.

I'd love you if I could.

What? If I was rich
and of social standing,

you wouldn't reject me?

- Of course not.
- Really?

Yes. Now get up.

It's a shame to interrupt you.

I can't stop him kneeling.

You go so well together.

- I need to speak to you, Lisette.
- I'll go.

You should speak of your master
with more respect.

- Me?
- Yes, you.

- What do you mean?
- Goodbye.

We'll hear
your excuses later.

An hour later.

My heart is in pain.

I don't understand
why I feel this way.

It's so difficult.

I don't want to see anyone,
no-one pleases me,

not even myself.

The child I once was torments me

Though she's kind
she's too strong in me

She spares me nothing

She leads me astray

And changes my mind

The child I was is cruel

She's stuck in my heart

She's overwhelming
She's incessant

How can I subdue her?

She's demanding

and greedy for love

The child in me is strong

She wants to be
more than a lover

and she's haunted by death

I'd like her to sleep

I'd like to make her smile

To grant her wishes

She complains incessantly

Who'll take her hand

and talk of the future?

I can't get rid of her
She's always there

Looking at the ground

Longing for the sun

Dreaming with the bees

Picking red currants

She loves the sound of water

The beads of love on her skin

She just takes

She's delirious

She's self-pitying

I often hate her grasping ways

She doesn't recognize flowers
or colours

Laughter and tears
are the same to her

Oh, gentle child

Let me live

But the next day...

Lisette.

I have to tell you something
for your employers.

- Tell them yourself.
- Listen.

This will change everything.

I'm listening.

- It's a secret.
- I won't tell anyone.

I've opened my heart to you.

- I can't help loving you.
- I see.

Well, I can help listening to you!

I'm not Bourguignon.

Who are you?

- I...
- I'm listening!

I...

I wanted to know your lady
before marrying her.

My father allowed me
to disguise myself.

It's like a dream.

I hate the woman I'm to marry
and love her servant,

who should find in me
only a master.

What should I do?

The man with your lady
is not who you think.

"Hide my identity."

I'm Dorante.

Some time later...

"He's not Bourguignon,
my brother, he's Dorante!"

"Who do you mean?"

"I know everything.
He told me himself!"

"Calm down!"

"Dorante and I are meant
to be together!"

"It's the strangest twist of fate,
but the happiest..."

"Are you sure he loves you?"

"You're right. I need to be sure."

"How should I find out?"

"Test him to the limit:
Make him jealous."

Mario agrees to play
the jealous lover.

Did you tell Lisette?

It's hard not to speak to her
of love.

How did she take it?

Lightly.

You're witty.

- You're not fooling?
- No.

What would you think

if Lisette loved me?

You speak well, for a valet.

It's the only way I know.

Is that how you
tried to win her over?

You speak like a gentleman.

I'm just as I am.

Restrain yourself!

I forbid you to speak to her.

Not because I think she loves you.

She's too good for that.

But I don't want
Bourguignon as a rival.

And Bourguignon doesn't want you
as one either.

Dorante is at his wits' end.

"Mario says he loves you!"

"It's not my fault, Dorante!"

"Do you like him?"

Don't mock my happiness.

Don't block my way.

You want me to make a fool
of a good man

and let you marry his daughter
in my name?

If I tell her I'm a valet

and she still loves me,

won't you let the bells ring?

As soon as they know who you are
it'll be over.

It would be ungrateful
not to love him.

I never saw a man in such vexation.

I'm please to see him
hoist by his own petard.

How far has he got, my sister?

I've got reason to be happy.

Do you think he'll give
his hand to you as you stand?

I hope so, father.

I need my victory to be total.

I want his love
to battle reason.

And his reason to die.

Monday 7 April

Sir, you said
I could have Dorante...

Lisette.
Let's see what she wants.

Sir, you said
I could have Dorante.

I've done it.

I've thought of myself.

What should I do now?

Will my lady give him up?

I give him to you.

What?

You both want me to marry him?

Yes.

So do I.

I thank you all.

Wait.

There's one condition.

You have to say a little
of who you are.

But if I say a little,
he'll know everything.

I've suffered in your absence.

Were you avoiding me?

No,

darling.

But you were pressing for marriage
and I didn't have

my father's permission to answer.

I've spoken to him

and he says you may ask him
for my hand.

When you like.

Before I ask him,

allow me to ask you.

Is your love solid?

Why?

Will it take
what I have to ask of it?

- Will it accept lowliness?
- You're not...

I'm...

Who are you?

Have you ever seen
counterfeit money?

Would you recognize
a dud gold coin?

What's your name?

- My name...
- Well?

- Do you hate servants?
- Servants?

Yes. A manservant.

"A manservant"?

Am I not speaking to Dorante?

"He's my boss!"

"If you prefer love to glory..."

"My glory pardons you."

"Dear lady, my love
will be truly grateful!"

"A manservant is well worth..."

...a hairdresser.

"A hairdresser" ?

She's my boss.

So to speak.

A change of name
doesn't change your face.

Sir, I'm your servant.

And I'm your valet, Madam.

Meanwhile...

How cold.

I'm doing my best.

I should inform you,
we're sending for a lawyer.

You should declare yourself.

I intend to.

I'm going.
I'll leave a note for Mr Orgon.

"Going"?

Don't you agree?

I don't know your reasons,
so I can't agree.

And I wouldn't ask for them.

You can guess them.

But I...

I could presume,
but I wouldn't be so vain.

Or so brave.

Goodbye, Lisette.

You're really going?

Then I don't love him.

I won't marry him.

I won't call him back.

It would be strange if he went.

He's stopping,

turning his head...

He's going.

It's over.

What an end.

I love him.

I've got something to say.

I love you.

I respect you.

Rank and fortune

are nothing compared to you.

My heart and hand are yours.

I've made it.

What love!

I love you.

Repeat.

Echo me, princess.

I love you.

The End.

Subtitles: Eclair Group