The Man Who Laughs

2012 1h 33m FR

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 90

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

During a winter storm, Ursus offers shelter to two orphans, Gwynplaine and Déa; some years later, they are still living together. Gwynplaine has become a famous star, but his success threatens his relationships with Déa and Ursus.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Gérard Depardieu
Ursus
Marc-André Grondin
Gwynplaine
Emmanuelle Seigner
Josiane
Christa Théret
Déa
Arben Bajraktaraj
Hardquanone
Serge Merlin
Barkilphedro
Christèle Tual
Clémence
Swann Arlaud
Sylvain

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jean-Pierre Améris
Writers: Guillaume Laurant
Languages: French
Countries: France, Czech Republic

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 14 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Czech Republic.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, shot by Gérard Simon. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Stéphane Moucha. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Philippe Bourgueil shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Gérard Depardieu and Marc-André Grondin and Emmanuelle Seigner carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1946289 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 90 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jean-Pierre Améris directs. Gérard Simon behind the camera. Stéphane Moucha scores. Philippe Bourgueil cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France, Czech Republic. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 14 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: France, Czech Republic.
3Directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, shot by Gérard Simon. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Stéphane Moucha. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Philippe Bourgueil shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Gérard Depardieu and Marc-André Grondin and Emmanuelle Seigner carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt1946289 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 90 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.