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Marguerite (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Marguerite (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 129 min · French
Directed by
Xavier Giannoli
Starring
Christa Theret, André Marcon, Catherine Frot, Michel Fau

In 1921 Paris, wealthy socialite Marguerite Dumont secretly harbors a passion for singing, despite being hopelessly tone-deaf. Her extravagant parties hide her delusion of grandeur and unwavering belief in her talent. Encouraged by a journalist, and with the reluctant guidance of a former star, Marguerite decides to pursue her dream, challenging societal expectations and her husband’s disapproval. This poignant story explores the power of passion, perseverance, and the importance of self-belief.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Marguerite
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Marguerite (2016)

Where can you watch Marguerite? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Tubi TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Marguerite Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Marguerite (2016), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Marguerite Dumont

    Marguerite is a complex character characterized by her innocence and unyielding ambition to be a singer. Despite her lack of talent, she remains determined to earn her husband's approval and finds solace in the support of her community. Her tragic arc is a poignant exploration of unrecognized talent and the depths of human longing.

    • 🎶 Musician
    • 💖 Dreamer
    • 😢 Tragic
  • Georges Dumont

    Georges, Marguerite's husband, conveys a blend of charm and manipulation. He is initially drawn to Marguerite's wealth but becomes increasingly contemptuous of her dreams, using emotional distance and infidelity as tools to escape his responsibilities. His character embodies the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

    • 🕴️ Husband
    • 💔 Betrayer
  • Madelbos

    played by Christa Theret

    Madelbos, Marguerite's devoted butler, is a passionate amateur photographer who deeply admires her. His unwavering support is coupled with desperation as he seeks to capture her fleeting moments of grandeur. He embodies loyalty and ambition, ultimately caught in the web of Marguerite's tragic pursuit of fame.

    • 📸 Photographer
    • 🤵 Loyal Aide
  • Pezzini

    played by Michel Fau

    Pezzini is a washed-up tenor who reluctantly becomes Marguerite's voice coach. He initially resents his involvement but grows sympathetic to her plight. His character highlights the theme of redemption as he grapples with his past failures while trying to guide Marguerite, even if it's through unconventional methods.

    • 🎤 Tenor
    • 🥀 Mentor

Last updated: October 23, 2024 at 20:18

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Setting

Where and When Does Marguerite Take Place?

The setting of Marguerite (2016): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1920s

The film is set in the post-World War I era of the 1920s, a time marked by both cultural flourishing and social upheaval. This period saw a rise in avant-garde art and music, reflecting a desire for change and expression after the devastation of the war. Marguerite's attempts to achieve recognition in such a vibrant yet critical landscape underscore the tension between ambition and reality.

Location

Paris

The movie takes place in Paris, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural history, artistic heritage, and romantic ambiance. It serves as a backdrop for Marguerite's musical ambitions and interactions with her community. The city is renowned for its cafés, theaters, and a bustling artistic scene, which Marguerite seeks to be part of despite her lack of talent.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎶 Music
  • 🎭 Arts

Last updated: October 23, 2024 at 20:18

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3 major themes

Marguerite Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Marguerite (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Ambition

    Ambition drives Marguerite to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer, even when faced with consistent rejection and ridicule. Her heartfelt desire to gain her husband’s approval and belonging in her musical community highlight the lengths to which she will go for validation. This ambition, however, ultimately contributes to her tragic downfall.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a central theme, as Marguerite's husband Georges engages in an affair while manipulating her musical pursuits for his convenience. His duality—pretending to support her while simultaneously distancing himself—creates a painful tension in their relationship. This theme emphasizes the emotional cost of deceit and the impact it has on dreams and aspirations.

  • Illusion vs. Reality

    The contrast between Marguerite's illusions of grandeur in her singing career and the harsh reality of her talent exposes the fragility of dreams. Despite the laughter of the audience, her performance leads to physical collapse, symbolizing the ultimate shattering of her aspirations. This theme reflects the struggles between one's dreams and the often cruel realities of life.

Last updated: October 23, 2024 at 20:18

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Character & theme questions

Marguerite Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Marguerite (2016): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the story take place?

The movie is set in Paris, a vibrant city renowned for its rich cultural history, artistic heritage, and romantic ambiance. Paris serves as the backdrop for Marguerite's musical ambitions and her interactions within the city's bustling artistic scene, including its cafés and theaters.

  • paris
  • setting
  • location
  • 1920s paris
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The film is set in the 1920s, in the post-World War I era. This period was marked by cultural flourishing and social upheaval, with a rise in avant-garde art and music reflecting a desire for change and expression after the war's devastation.

  • 1920s
  • time period
  • post-wwi
  • era
Q3

Who is Marguerite Dumont?

Marguerite Dumont is a wealthy socialite in 1920s Paris who secretly harbors a passion for singing despite being hopelessly tone-deaf. She hosts extravagant parties and maintains an unwavering belief in her talent, driven by a deep desire for her husband's approval and belonging in the musical community.

  • marguerite dumont
  • protagonist
  • socialite
  • singer
Q4

Who is Georges Dumont?

Georges Dumont is Marguerite's husband, a charming but manipulative man who was initially drawn to her wealth. He becomes increasingly contemptuous of her musical dreams, using emotional distance and infidelity as tools to escape his responsibilities. He embodies the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

  • georges dumont
  • husband
  • antagonist
  • betrayal
Q5

Who is Madelbos?

Madelbos is Marguerite's devoted butler who is also a passionate amateur photographer. He deeply admires Marguerite and provides unwavering support, desperately seeking to capture her fleeting moments of grandeur. His character embodies loyalty and hidden ambition, ultimately becoming entangled in Marguerite's tragic pursuit of fame.

  • madelbos
  • butler
  • photographer
  • supporter
Q6

Who is Pezzini?

Pezzini is a washed-up tenor who reluctantly becomes Marguerite's voice coach. Initially resentful of his involvement, he grows sympathetic to her plight and grapples with his own past failures while trying to guide her, even through unconventional methods. His character highlights themes of redemption.

  • pezzini
  • tenor
  • voice coach
  • redemption
Q7

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: Ambition, which drives Marguerite to pursue her singing dreams despite rejection; Betrayal, as her husband manipulates her while engaging in infidelity; and Illusion vs. Reality, contrasting her delusions of grandeur with the harsh reality of her talent.

  • themes
  • ambition
  • betrayal
  • illusion
  • reality
Q8

What does the film say about ambition?

The film portrays ambition as a powerful force that drives Marguerite to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer, even when faced with consistent rejection and ridicule. Her desire for her husband's approval and acceptance in the musical community shows the lengths she will go for validation, though her ambition ultimately contributes to her tragic downfall.

  • ambition
  • dreams
  • pursuit
  • validation
Q9

How does the film explore illusion versus reality?

The contrast between Marguerite's illusions of grandeur in her singing career and the harsh reality of her talent exposes the fragility of dreams. When her performance leads to physical collapse amid audience laughter, it symbolizes the ultimate shattering of her aspirations, reflecting the struggle between dreams and life's often cruel realities.

  • illusion
  • reality
  • delusion
  • dreams
  • talent
Q10

How is betrayal depicted in the story?

Betrayal is central to the narrative through Marguerite's husband Georges, who pretends to support her musical pursuits while simultaneously manipulating her for his convenience and engaging in an affair. His duality creates painful tension in their relationship, emphasizing the emotional cost of deceit and its impact on dreams and aspirations.

  • betrayal
  • husband
  • deceit
  • infidelity
  • manipulation
Q11

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a bittersweet tone, balancing the hopefulness of Marguerite's passion with the tragic reality of her inability and the sadness of her personal life. The story gradually unravels her delusion, leading to a sad ending where she dies surrounded by a love she never truly experienced, solidifying the film's melancholic core.

  • tone
  • mood
  • bittersweet
  • sad
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like Marguerite, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Marguerite tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about delusional artists like Marguerite

Stories of misguided passion and the heartbreaking reality that follows artistic delusion. If you were captivated by the poignant story of Marguerite's misguided passion, explore these similar films about characters whose artistic delusions lead to tragic or bittersweet outcomes. Discover other movies that delve into the world of untalented dreamers, societal expectations, and the heartbreaking collision of fantasy and reality.

  • tragic
  • poignant
  • delusional
  • melancholic
  • misguided
  • lonely
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic
  • Pacing: slow, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a protagonist on a sincere but flawed artistic journey, oblivious to their own lack of ability. The plot is driven by the growing dissonance between their perception and reality, often culminating in a moment of devastating clarity or a sad acceptance of their insulated fantasy. Supporting characters often have complex motives, ranging from cruel encouragement to reluctant pity.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared focus on the emotional core of delusion, creating a specific type of character-driven tragedy. The mood is consistently melancholic and poignant, balancing a sense of hope with an underlying dread. The pacing is often deliberate, allowing the audience to sit with the uncomfortable beauty of the character's misplaced faith.

Slow-burn period character studies like Marguerite

Slow-burn period dramas focused on the quiet tragedy of a single, isolated individual. For viewers who appreciated the delicate and melancholic character study of Marguerite set in 1920s Paris, this collection features similar movies. Find other poignant dramas with a slow pace that delve into the inner lives of isolated individuals within richly depicted historical settings, often leading to bittersweet or tragic conclusions.

  • poignant
  • melancholic
  • delicate
  • lonely
  • touching
  • atmospheric
  • Tone: melancholic, poignant, delicate
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern is less about plot-driven events and more about the gradual unfolding of a character's inner life against a backdrop of a specific time period. Conflict often arises from the character's inability to conform to societal norms or from a profound internal loneliness. The story arc is typically intimate, concluding with a sense of melancholy or quiet resignation that emphasizes the character's tragic beauty.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific mood blend: a delicate, melancholic, and poignant atmosphere combined with a slow, deliberate pacing. They prioritize emotional depth and character authenticity over complex plotting. The historical setting is not just backdrop but actively shapes the character's isolation and the constraints they face, making the era a key component of the vibe.

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Movies Like Marguerite

Similar movies to Marguerite: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Marguerite (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Marguerite in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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