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Centuries before the madcap comedy stylings of Jerry Lewis, the French flocked to see the satirical plays of Molière. Focussing on a mysterious few months in 1644 when he made the transition from actor to playwright, writer/director Laurent Tirard invents a fanciful yarn that hints at masterworks to come. While it doesn't boast the same scathing insights as those plays, this is a sprightly romp, and Romain Duris drips with goofy Gallic charm as the young wannabe 'artiste'.

Tirard roots the story in one intriguing fact about Molière's life – a spell in prison for failure to repay debts. History loses track when he's bailed out by 'anonymous', but Tirard imagines his saviour as wealthy trader Monsieur Jourdain (a buffoonish Fabrice Luchini - in reference to 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme'). Jordain puts him up at the mansion and demands acting lessons, for he plans to woo a pretty Marquise (Ludivine Sagnier) by performing a self-composed play. Of course, the play is rotten and what's worse, Jourdain is married.

"A VERY SILLY FILM"

In an echo of Molière's Tartuffe, the hapless thespian poses as a holy man, providing the cue for a lot of cunning misdirection and embarrassing mix-ups. And it wouldn't be a French farce without the added complication of Molière's growing affection for Jourdain's wife (Laura Morante). Above all, this is a very silly film. Indeed, it elevates silliness to a lofty ideal and one that Molière must eventually come around to after announcing his intent to become a great tragedian. Like Shakespeare In Love, the budding romance feeds his creativity, but the absurdity of some situations undercuts Tirard's later attempts to tug the heartstrings. It doesn't have the epic sweep of John Madden's film either; it's the infectious sense of fun that lingers after the curtain falls.

In French with English subtitles.

Molière is out in the UK on 13th July 2007.