Staff Book and Media Recommendations

Impromptu

Filled with humor, outrageous personalities, sabotage, jealousy, and the requisite duel, Impromptu is an engaging film that explores the lives of a group of artists living in nineteenth-century Paris, and focuses on the burgeoning relationship between George Sand (Judy Davis) and Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant).

Drawn to his musical brilliance, Sand, a cross-dressing and determined authoress, becomes obsessed with the sickly and proper Chopin. In order to meet him she invites herself to a country party hosted by the silly Duchess D'Antan (Emma Thompson) who, in an attempt to be more cultured, has invited some of the most famous artists in France to stay at her estate for a couple of weeks. Sand's interest in Chopin causes a stir among the others because they are such an unlikely pair and it seems that everyone has something at stake in the possible relationship. As the friends take sides tensions develop and come to a head when two of Sand's exes arrive at the Duchess's gathering.

Impromptu strikes a perfect balance between the ridiculous and the sober as each person tests the boundaries of society's acceptance. The cast of characters include Franz Liszt (Julian Sands), his common law wife, Countess D'Agoult (Bernadette Peters), Eugene Delacroix (Ralph Brown), and Alfred de Musset (Mandy Patinkin); some of their masterpieces are also highlighted throughout the film and can serve as an introduction to this circle of artists.

If you are interested in learning more about the people depicted in this film you can find many of their works at Chambers Library! ~ Jeanette Norris

Reviewed October 2010