Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin, better known in the literary world as George Sand, not only took a man's name, but trotted around wearing pants and smoking cigars in public. No great shakes today, but in the 1800s she was perhaps the most famous (or infamous) woman in the world. One of the first original celebrities, aside from her garb and literary output, she was known to inspire many duels and broken hearts among other famous hedonist artists. One character describes her in Impromptu, as "that graveyard." The film engages in a sexual roundelay among Sand's (Judy Davis) many friends -- Eugene Delacroix (Ralph Brown), Alfred DeMusset (Mandy Patinkin), Franz Liszt (Julian Sands), and Frederick Chopin (Hugh Grant). The entire crew heads off to the summer estate of the Duke and Duchess d'Antan (Anton Rodgers and Emma Thompson), invited there by the culture-vulture hosts. Sand takes a bead on the sickly Chopin and spends her time throwing herself at him. Also on hand is Liszt's mistress Marie d'Agoult (Bernadette Peters) and Felicien Mallefille (Georges Corraface), Sand's recently jilted lover. Mallefille is jealous of any of the other guests who glance in Sand's direction and continually challenges them to duels. Marie, on the other hand, is enlisted by Sand to deliver a note to Chopin. But Marie, jealous of Sand, delivers the note substituting her name for Sand's. And as the weekend continues, the sexual merry-go-round continues at full tilt. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
Literary and historical purists may likely be annoyed by Impromptu, as its accuracy is highly suspect, but audiences looking for a light romantic farce with a barbed edge will find it quite rewarding. Director James Lapine shows a very sure hand in his film debut, keeping the many inter-relationships of the large cast clear and always making sure the audience doesn't get lost amid the amorous complications. Bruno de Keyzer's cinematography, understated but effective, also helps, giving the film a distinctive look and feel. And Sarah Kernochan's screenplay is quite witty. (When George Sand's former lover tells her "You promised to love me," she dismisses him with a simple "I didn't promise to succeed.") Best of all is the cast, led by Judy Davis in another fully realized portrayal. She pulls the role of Sand on as if it were a second skin, creating a character that is wild, strong willed, exasperating, offputting, unorthodox, endearing and at all times original. Hugh Grant and Mandy Patinkin, both of whom can be overly mannered, turn in fine performances, Bernadette Peters is a petulant joy, and Emma Thompson is a surprise in an atypical role. Although there are some flaws -- for example, many will find the "rape" scene involving Delacroix to be in questionable taste -- overall Impromptu is a sparkling, refreshing little film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Emma Thompson - Duchess D'Antan; Ralph Brown - Eugene Delacroix; Georges Corraface - Felicien Mallefille; Anton Rodgers - Duke D'Antan; Anna Massey - George Sand's Mother; John Savident - Buloz; Elizabeth Spriggs - Baroness Laginsky; Jezabelle Amato - Inn Keeper's Wife; Claude Berthy - Chopin's Valet; David Birkin - Maurice; Georges Bruce - Doctor; André Chaumeau - Priest; Jean-Michel Dagory - Inn Keeper; Ian Marshall de Garnier - Editor; Isabelle Guiard - Princess; Fernand Guiot - Butler; Nicholas Hawtrey - Philosopher; Sylvie Herbert - Sophie; Francois Lalande - Local Doctor; Joanna Merlin; Annette Milsom - Ursule; Nimer Rashed - Didiar; Stuart Seide - Clerk; Lucy Speed - Aurore; Fiona Vincente - Solange; John Lyons
Credit
Gerard Daoudal - Art Director, Jenny Beavan - Costume Designer, James Lapine - Director, Michael Ellis - Editor, Peter Glossop - Musical Direction/Supervision, John Strauss - Musical Direction/Supervision, Cedric Gerard - Makeup, Dominique Plez - Makeup, Jean-Luc Russier - Makeup, Bruno de Keyzer - Cinematographer, Stuart Oken - Producer, Daniel A. Sherkow - Producer, Jean Nachbaur - Producer, Alain Pitrel - Set Designer, Gilbert Pieri - Special Effects, Mario Luraschi - Stunts, Sarah Kernochan - Screenwriter, Fryderyc Chopin - Featured Music, Franz Liszt - Featured Music
After a long series of recordings for Capitol during 1952-65, June Christy gradually retired from singing. She only returned to the studios once, for this Discovery LP. Assisted by the Lou Levy sextet (which consisted of the leader-pianist, trumpeter Jack Sheldon, trombonist Frank Rosolino, tenorman Bob Cooper, bassist Bob Daugherty and drummer Shelly Manne), Christy avoided revisiting her hits and instead mixed in some newer material (such as "Once Upon a Summertime," "Everything Must Change" and "Sometime Ago") with a few older standards. A little rusty during this final effort, June Christy's sincerity and swing will win over listeners. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
June Christy (Vocals), June Christy (Main Performer), Bob Cooper (Flute), Bob Cooper (Saxophone), Shelly Manne (Drums), Lou Levy (Piano), Lou Levy (Leader), Bob Daugherty (Bass), Jack Sheldon (Trumpet), Albert Marx (Producer), Albert Marx (Executive Producer), Frank Rosolino (Trombone), Bill Giolando (Mastering), Toshiya Taenaka (Producer), Gordon Shryock (Engineer), Gordon Shryock (Mixing), Edward Perry (Assistant Engineer), Bill Dow (Photography), Peter Reilly (Liner Notes)
Impromptu is a 1991 movie, based on a screenplay written by Sarah Kernochan, directed by James Lapine, produced by Daniel A. Sherkow and Stuart Oken, and starring Hugh Grant as Chopin and Judy Davis as George Sand. This movie was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. Impromptu won the award as Audience Favorite at the Houston WorldFest Film Festival and was broadcast on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre (1993). The film was shot entirely on location in France as a British production by an American company.
Since getting divorced, Baroness Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin, previously Baroness Dudevant, the successful and notorious writer of sensational romance novels now living under the pseudonym George Sand, in Paris, has been in the habit of dressing like a man. In her romantic pursuit of the sensitive Chopin, whose music she fell in love with before seeing him in person, George/Aurora is advised that she must act like a man pursuing a woman, though she is also advised to avoid damaging his health by not pursuing him at all. With this advice Sand is deterred by a fellow countrywoman who pretends to be smitten with Chopin, the mistress of Franz Liszt, the Countess Marie d'Agoult. Whether the Countess is really in love with Chopin is unlikely; she seeks only to prevent a relationship between Chopin and Sand.
Sand meets Chopin in the French countryside at the house of the Duchess d'Antan, a foolish aspiring socialite who invites artists from Paris to her salon in order to feel cosmopolitan. Sand invites herself, not knowing that several of her former lovers are also in attendance. A small play is written by Alfred de Musset satirizing the aristocracy, Chopin protests at his lack of manners, de Musset bellows and a fireplace explosion ensues.
Chopin is briefly swayed by a beautifully written love letter ostensibly from d'Agoult, a letter actually written by, and stolen from, Sand. Eventually Sand wins over Chopin when she proves that she wrote the letter, reciting its words to him passionately, and giving him a copy of her memoir in which the text of the letter appears.
Chopin is then challenged to a duel by one of Sand's ex-lovers. He faints during the face-off. Sand finishes the duel for him and nurses him back to health in the countryside, solidifying their relationship.
Near the end of the movie, Sand and Chopin dedicate a volume of music to the countess, although this only suggests that she has had an affair with Chopin, causing a falling-out with her lover Liszt. Sand and Chopin depart for Majorca, relieved to escape the competitive nature of artistic alliances and jealousies in Paris.
