Ridicule - Movie Analysis

Through the movie Ridicule, one gets a trip back into 18th century France during a most critical time in history, the outskirts of the French Revolution. The movie portrays the culture and society of the time through its events and characters, while it also goes in depth depicting what life could have been like during that period. Ridicule uses good examples of class struggle and separation to bring into perspective the human spirit of the time. Ridicule gives us a glimpse into 18th century French royalty and their way of life in Versailles; exchanging wit with one another as well as enjoying grand meals. Through the actions and events that take place in Ridicule, we are lead to see in this 18th century culture, even though much in this time period was determined by your station or wealth, outside external forces were encouraged by love, human intuitions, or God could overcome the social barrier, or religious affiliations. In other words, Ridicule denotes how people in 18th century France are human outside of their perspective culture no matter what.

In the movie Ridicule, we are taken back in time to a world in the French countryside. One of the first scenes we see is a shot of the infested swamps where the peasants are hard at work gathering fish . The scene depicts wide-open spaces surrounded by nature, peasants working the land, and trees in the distance that stretch the horizon. One could describe this scene as that of the rural countryside and nearly primal. The lack of vibrant colors and an overcast skyline gives the audience a sense of the hardships these people lived and experienced on a day-to-day basis. It is interesting that the people working are drenched and covered with mud and other unmentionables with worn out, holey clothes and then abruptly the scene switches to that of the royal folk and their bright, vibrant, and flamboyant clothing and city of Versailles. These scenes are very different from the ones portrayed earlier. It seems the camera shots aim to include the breathtaking surroundings such as the gardens and fountains of the city. Adding that with the extraordinary colors of the costumes and other surroundings, a polar opposite view is shown then the previous one. Both men and women are garbed in lavish outfits and make-up. A good example of the two worlds is exhibited when Madame is being prepared before accompanied by servants to be dressed . The last piece of the puzzle that completes the set up of the movie is the flower garden and well where two of the main characters, Ponceludon and Mathilde, rendezvous. These images convey powerful emotions and let us see the innocents of the land. One must recognize that the spaces are not widely open for there are trees encircling the garden; however, the flowers offer a sense of peace and hope that at least for right now the two are free from the worries of their everyday lives.

The afore mentioned settings and backgrounds allow the viewer to follow the emotions and experiences of the characters as well as the storyline very well. In the beginning, we are shown despair and sickness in a few of the peasants working the swamp . Between these disturbing shots and the ones that closely follow of Versailles, we are given a glance at the harsh reality