A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Blistering performances.

I have just seen Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette and it was such fairy floss that it made me want to see La Nuit de Varennes again. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be available on DVD, only VHS and Amazon UK are out of stock.Anyone know when if and when it might be available on DVD? Re: my comment about Marie Antoinette: it's a well made film with a look inside Versailles and apparently the depiction of the protocol is spot on but there's no context. This wasn't meant to be a review of Marie Antoinette but apparently I have to write 10 lines or my comment won't be accepted.

A wonderful, literate film for adults which plays with history, and the idea of power and its trappings. It imagines what would happen if contemporary celebrities at the time of The French Revolution found themselves together in a coach following the fugitive king. In fact, it's a road movie, but unlike any other one you've seen. Witty dialogue, great performances and top-notch production values make this a classic--one of those movies that you can't see could be improved, because everything is so right. If you enjoyed 'Ridicule', you'll enjoy this. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I only wish I could find a copy on DVD.

I frankly don't find much value in movie reviews, amateur or professional, so I won't belabor my points. Simply put, this is the smartest film I've ever seen. A coherent plot and intelligent dialog are critical to my movie pleasure, and this one has them. It is so good that it is almost novelistic, which is not to say that it could have been taken from a novel. Some review guide said of this movie that it is "talk, talk, talk." Exactly! The conversations are witty, charming, and often funny. Be advised that this is not akin to the insipid "My Dinner With Andre," with its metaphysical posturing. One must say this carefully about any movie, but there are actually things to learn from this film, though it is far more entertaining than didactic. The acting is mature and magnificent. I doubt that Mastroianni was ever in a better role. Jean-Louis Barrault and Hanna Schygulla are brilliant. This, along with his other excellent films, should have made director Scola one of the titans of modern cinema. Instead it has never made it to DVD and you will be fortunate to ever see it. (Update: It is now available as an all- region Blu-Ray.)

While Louis XVI is fleeing Paris, a stagecoach travels the same route. The passengers discuss philosophy and politics, they meet Casanova on his way to Germany, they arrive in Varennes to witness the arrest of the King. It is an interesting movie, sometimes pretentious, sometimes brilliant. The cast is excellent and makes up for its shortcomings.