The Princess of Montpensier
Bertrand Tavernier is in top form with this gripping, superbly mounted drama set against the savage Catholic/Protestant wars that ripped France apart in the 16th century. Based on a novel by the celebrated Mme de Lafayette, the action centers on the love of Marie de Mezières for her dashing cousin Henri de Guise, thwarted when her father's political ambitions force her into marriage with the well-connected Philippe de Montpensier, whom she has never met. When Philippe is called away to fight, she is left in the care of Count de Chabannes, an aging nobleman with a disdain for warfare, and soon becomes exposed to the sexual and political intrigues of court.
The film commercial failure against its tight budget of $14.7M, earning $6.8M globally (-54% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
2 wins & 9 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Princess of Montpensier (2010) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Bertrand Tavernier's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Marie de Mézières as a young girl during the brutal French Wars of Religion, living in a world of violence and political marriages. Her childhood innocence contrasts with the war-torn landscape.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Marie is forced to marry the Prince of Montpensier, tearing her away from her childhood love Henri de Guise. The marriage ceremony marks the end of her freedom and the beginning of her imprisonment in duty.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 35 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Marie encounters Henri de Guise again at court and actively chooses to pursue her feelings despite the consequences. She crosses from dutiful wife into the dangerous territory of forbidden love, knowing it threatens everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Marie consummates her affair with Guise, achieving what she thought she wanted. However, this false victory immediately sours as she realizes Guise's love is shallow and self-serving. The romantic fantasy collapses into harsh reality., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 104 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Chabannes is killed in a duel defending Marie's honor, a death directly caused by the chaos of her romantic entanglements. The only man who truly loved her selflessly dies, and Marie loses her greatest friend and protector. The "whiff of death" is literal., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Marie realizes that true love was with Chabannes all along, not Guise. She understands the lesson he tried to teach her: that honor, loyalty, and selfless devotion matter more than passion. But this knowledge comes too late., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Princess of Montpensier's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Princess of Montpensier against these established plot points, we can identify how Bertrand Tavernier utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Princess of Montpensier within the action genre.
Bertrand Tavernier's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Bertrand Tavernier films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Princess of Montpensier takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bertrand Tavernier filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Bertrand Tavernier analyses, see The French Minister, 'Round Midnight.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Marie de Mézières as a young girl during the brutal French Wars of Religion, living in a world of violence and political marriages. Her childhood innocence contrasts with the war-torn landscape.
Theme
Count Chabannes warns about the dangers of passion and desire in a world governed by duty: "In these times, the heart is a luxury we cannot afford." The tension between personal desire and social obligation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the violent religious conflict between Catholics and Huguenots. Marie is betrothed to the Prince of Montpensier instead of her love Henri de Guise for political reasons. Introduction of key players: her husband, Guise, and her tutor Chabannes.
Disruption
Marie is forced to marry the Prince of Montpensier, tearing her away from her childhood love Henri de Guise. The marriage ceremony marks the end of her freedom and the beginning of her imprisonment in duty.
Resistance
Marie struggles with her loveless marriage while Count Chabannes becomes her intellectual companion and guide. He educates her and becomes her confidant, while she debates her feelings and her duty. The war continues around them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Marie encounters Henri de Guise again at court and actively chooses to pursue her feelings despite the consequences. She crosses from dutiful wife into the dangerous territory of forbidden love, knowing it threatens everything.
Premise
Marie navigates the dangerous world of court intrigue and secret romance. She conducts clandestine meetings with Guise while managing the affections of the Duke of Anjou and the devotion of Chabannes. The promise of forbidden romance plays out against the backdrop of war.
Midpoint
Marie consummates her affair with Guise, achieving what she thought she wanted. However, this false victory immediately sours as she realizes Guise's love is shallow and self-serving. The romantic fantasy collapses into harsh reality.
Opposition
The consequences of Marie's choices intensify. Guise proves unfaithful and politically opportunistic. The Duke of Anjou's pursuit becomes more aggressive. Chabannes' unrequited love causes him pain. Marie's husband grows suspicious. The web of lies tightens.
Collapse
Chabannes is killed in a duel defending Marie's honor, a death directly caused by the chaos of her romantic entanglements. The only man who truly loved her selflessly dies, and Marie loses her greatest friend and protector. The "whiff of death" is literal.
Crisis
Marie is devastated by Chabannes' death and retreats into grief and isolation. She confronts the destruction her desires have caused—Chabannes dead, her marriage destroyed, her reputation ruined. She faces the dark truth about passion and duty.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Marie realizes that true love was with Chabannes all along, not Guise. She understands the lesson he tried to teach her: that honor, loyalty, and selfless devotion matter more than passion. But this knowledge comes too late.
Synthesis
Marie faces the final consequences of her choices. The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre erupts, destroying what remains of the world she knew. She must reconcile with her husband and accept her place in a world where her desires have led only to tragedy.
Transformation
Marie ends alone and changed, her romantic illusions destroyed. She has transformed from an innocent girl into a woman who understands the cost of passion. Unlike the opening, she now possesses wisdom but has lost everything—a tragic transformation.