The film begins in the very early days of the French Revolution, as the Tuileries Palace was being stormed by the revolutionaries. During this, a laundress (Sophia Loren) watches and is caught up in the events. And, in the process, she meets a young and yet to be famous Napoleon.
Shortly after this, she marries her lover, François-Joseph Lefebvre. But he's soon sent off to war and they don't see each other for several years. When she sneaks up to the font lines to surprise him....and finds he's about to visit with a prostitute. They fight and soon end up making up...and are captured by the enemy. How they manage to escape AND warn Napoleon's army make Lefebre a hero...and Napoleon makes him a Duke and his wife a Duchess.
Soon after this, the Duke and Duchess are summoned to court. There, the Duchess' common upbringing become apparent and she makes a fool of herself at court...mostly by pointing our that nearly EVERYONE there came from similarly common backgrounds. Now this is a serious problem...as tongues are wagging and the Duke's next promotion are in doubt. The incident is very funny AND cringeworthy at the same time. What's next for the poor Duchess? Can she possibly extricate herself from this mess?
This film features Loren at her most charming. She is very easy to like and the longer the story progresses, the more she's adorable. A wonderful showcase for the Italian actress. It did make me wonder, however, is Loren speaks French as he lip movements did appear as if she was speaking that language...and the voice sure sounded like her. Overall, a very charming film.
By the way, early in the film they refer to the rebels as the 'Sans-Culottes'. In other words, without breeches...the short pants which included long stockings that noblemen wore. As the rebels were mostly commoners, they wore long pants instead...hence the term.
Also by the way, Madame Sans Gêne would roughly translate to 'Lady with little embarrassment' or 'Lady free and easy'...which is a great description of the character.
Shortly after this, she marries her lover, François-Joseph Lefebvre. But he's soon sent off to war and they don't see each other for several years. When she sneaks up to the font lines to surprise him....and finds he's about to visit with a prostitute. They fight and soon end up making up...and are captured by the enemy. How they manage to escape AND warn Napoleon's army make Lefebre a hero...and Napoleon makes him a Duke and his wife a Duchess.
Soon after this, the Duke and Duchess are summoned to court. There, the Duchess' common upbringing become apparent and she makes a fool of herself at court...mostly by pointing our that nearly EVERYONE there came from similarly common backgrounds. Now this is a serious problem...as tongues are wagging and the Duke's next promotion are in doubt. The incident is very funny AND cringeworthy at the same time. What's next for the poor Duchess? Can she possibly extricate herself from this mess?
This film features Loren at her most charming. She is very easy to like and the longer the story progresses, the more she's adorable. A wonderful showcase for the Italian actress. It did make me wonder, however, is Loren speaks French as he lip movements did appear as if she was speaking that language...and the voice sure sounded like her. Overall, a very charming film.
By the way, early in the film they refer to the rebels as the 'Sans-Culottes'. In other words, without breeches...the short pants which included long stockings that noblemen wore. As the rebels were mostly commoners, they wore long pants instead...hence the term.
Also by the way, Madame Sans Gêne would roughly translate to 'Lady with little embarrassment' or 'Lady free and easy'...which is a great description of the character.