Watching Le malade imaginaire felt like a long afternoon in a dusty library

Is it worth it?

If you like 17th-century French comedy, you probably already know if you want to watch this. If you are looking for pacing that feels like 2024, skip it. You will likely hate the endless talking and the fact that the camera barely moves.

It feels like a recorded play, plain and simple. The stage-bound energy is heavy. There are moments where you expect someone to walk off the edge of the frame.

The vibe

Robert Pizani’s performance is just exhausting in the best way possible. He really leans into the 'sick man' bit. He spends so much time moaning about his bowels that you start to feel a bit ill yourself. 🤢

I couldn't help but think about how different this is from the snappy editing in Sunnyside. Everything here is slow. It’s all about the rhythm of the dialogue. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it just drags.

Small observations

• The wigs are absolutely massive. I was worried they would tip over.
• The house feels weirdly empty. Where is the staff? Are they all hiding from the hypochondriac?
• There is a reaction shot from Nane Germon that lasts for what feels like a full minute. I started wondering what she had for lunch.

There is no grand cinematic sweep here. It’s just people yelling in fancy clothes. It makes me miss the charm of The New Teacher, which felt like it had a bit more room to breathe. Here, the walls are closing in on Argan, and by extension, you.

The dialogue is sharp, obviously. Molière knows how to write a jerk. But watching it on a screen takes away that live spark. It’s a bit like eating lukewarm soup. It’s still soup, but it’s missing the heat.

I found myself drifting off during the medical consultations. It’s just too much jargon. I’m not here to learn about purging, thanks.

Ultimately—wait, I promised not to use that word. Just forget it. It’s a weird, stuffy little movie. It’s not great, but it’s not trying to be. It’s just Molière on a budget. Take it or leave it.