The School for Wives

Poland (PL) 2008 colour 70 min.

dir Jerzy Stuhr pro|pro TVP

sc Jerzy Stuhr, based on Artur Międzyrzecki’s translation of Moliere’s play

ph Tomasz Wert

mus Adrian Konarski

cast Jerzy Stuhr, Karolina Chapko, Oskar Hamerski, Sonia Bohosiewicz, Roman Gancarczyk, Eugenia Horecka, Zbigniew Ruciński, Aleksander Fabisiak, Ryszard Łukowski

dis TVP SA – TV Theatre

One of these Moliere’s pieces which led to revolutionary changes in the rigid canon of seventeenth-century comedy writing, resulting in fierce polemics and attacks from literature conservatives. A comedy well known pattern – “a jealous led up the garden path” was used by Moliere to create comedy that contains realistic truth about human nature. Especially one of the characters: Arnolf with his comic provenance but not without a tragic note. Arnolf ridiculous and tragic at the same time, is one of the best written roles. Moliere as a great actor, he created this role for himself.

Ageing Arnolf wants to marry his young female student that he should rather look after. Annie, however is in love with a young Horace. By sheer chance Annie and Horacy in their innocence and ignorance make Arnolf trustee of their secret which is often a source of comic situations. Arnolf – in his stupidity and blind love while trying to prevent youngs’ romance, helps only in its development. He is the victim of a conspiracy which is set up in Annie’s defense by members of young couple’s families.