A strange way of filming a classic, "Figaro" succeeds at least in showing us how people lived back, then, their refinement and idiocy, and how some things remain the same, regardless of age. If you've seen "Cosi fan tutte", this TV film uses the same resource at probably the only really dramatic scene in the whole movie. At least this time women aren't the guilty party. What I found most interesting is how the same people ... change. We see Jacques Weber using Figaro's genie to get Comtesse Almaviva, only to want younger Suzanne 5 years later. And 20 years from now... Figaro's perfect marriage ... The way both couples look, how they do "not communicate" is only funny because if we see it in others, dismay is almost funny. Had we the foresight to see ourselves as we witness these universal characters, what would we do?
Writer and director Weber stands out from this stellar cast (what a voice!), also ethereal Isabelle Adjani and a perfect "Figaro". Suzanne is OK, as is Chérubin, who also did some Christie in his budding career. And happens to be Weber's son!
The epoch, dresses, palace (!) and language are realistic, like only the French can do so naturally.
Watch it with some patience, for after the 2/3rds part of the film, things start to get going.
