Leopold Mozart was an 18th Century
precursor to Rose Hovick. However this
pushy showbiz parent didn't get his kid Wolfgang to strip as Ms. Hovick did
when she created Gypsy Rose Lee, he just got his 10-year-old musical protégé to
hawk his talents before any of the Crown heads of Europe who would cough
up and provide a living for the family. And unlike in Ms. Hovick’s story
where young Gypsy only got her big break when her older sister ran off with a
chorus boy, Wolfgang remained firmly the star in his family and his deprived
and possibly equally talented big sister never got beyond being a walk on part
in the act.
This wonderful French period drama is the highly
imagined account of Anna-Marie Mozart, known as Nannerl, who was four years older than
her genius brother and who was never ever allowed to develop her own musical
ambitions simply because she was a female.
As father dragged the family around constantly touring Europe
Nannerl was expected to accompany her brother on the harpsichord to showcase
his music to any of the Aristocracy that would listen and give them
board. On the way to one gig the
family’s carriage broke down and they were forced to seek temporary refuge in a
nearby Abbey whilst repairs are carried out.
The residents included three of the French King’s ten children. As they were his youngest and all daughters
they are expected either to marry well and young, or join a religious order.
The very youngest at 13 years old is Louise and she and
Nannerl soon become fast friends. The
Princess is not allowed by the King’s advisers to leave this remote Abbey so
she implores her new friend to deliver a letter to Hugo the love of her life when
the Mozarts eventually get to Versailles and play for the Royal Court.
Turns out the letter's recipient is an Aide to The
Dauphine and the only way she can be ushered into their presence alone is if
she is dressed in mens clothes. When the letter is delivered the recently widowed
Dauphine takes a shine to Nannerl as a boy and overcoming his normal inert
shyness he flirts somewhat outrageously with the youngster.
It's odd as there is neither any indication that the
Dauphine saw through the disguise or if he had any homosexual tendencies, but
his obvious attraction is undeniable.
Duty calls. She
has to get back touring with her family, but her chaste dalliance with the
royal Prince has unsettled her and she persuades her father to let her return to Paris and start teaching for a living.
(The family may have wealthy Patrons but they themselves are
broke). Back in Paris, she encourages
the Dauphine’s friendship, and when he discovers Nannerl‘s frustrations as a
potential composer, the very musical Prince commissions some music which
he has the Court orchestra perform as a surprise for her.
Duty calls this time for the Dauphine and the King
commands that his oldest son marry another child Princess that he has chosen
for him. The news does not fit well
with either of them, and so Nannerl runs off to find her family who she vows to
never leave again.
And evidently she doesn't. When Wolfgang dies at aged 35 she becomes the
guardian of his music. She does
eventually marry a 50 year old widower who already has children, evidently settling
for second best yet once again.
The most telling scene is when she is back in Paris
and still obviously has feelings and hopes for the Dauphine, and his youngest
sister Louise, once her best friend sends for her. She has now happily accepted her fate with a
cheerful heart and is a Novice Nun at the
Abbey, and she pleads with Nannerl to accept the inevitability of her own destiny too. She points out that as a female
member of the Royal Family she really had no opportunities like her brothers, and
that because of her gender, Nannerl too has no hope at all of fulfilling her
dreams too. Its just the way of the
world.
This film about a family is also made by a family. Written and directed by Rene
Feret who also plays a Music Master in the movie; his wife Fabienne Feret is
the Editor, and Nannerl is played by the daughter Maria, and her younger sibling
Lisa plays Louise de France. Like the
Mozarts, they are a very talented family indeed.
Beautifully photographed with wonderful sets and
costume, it is rather a picture-perfect period romp. And
it tells a (possibly) true story too!
Go see it even if you are not an ardent feminist, and even though
Nannerl never gets to break into her big finale number ‘When’s It My Turn’ just
like Ms Hovik did.
★★★★★★★★
★★★★★★★★
