L'Avare (film)

L'Avare is a 1980 French comedy film directed by Louis de Funès and Jean Girault, based on Molière's famous play of the same name, L'Avare (The Miser). Louis de Funès also stars in the titular role of Harpagon, a wealthy and notoriously stingy man whose obsession with his hidden fortune drives his family and household to despair.

The film closely follows the plot of Molière's original work. Harpagon is determined to marry off his daughter, Élise, to the wealthy but much older Seigneur Anselme, while he himself plans to marry the young and beautiful Mariane, who is also desired by his son, Cléante. The ensuing chaos and comedic situations arise from Harpagon's relentless pursuit of saving money, his paranoia about losing his wealth, and the romantic entanglements of his children. The film utilizes slapstick humor and exaggerates Harpagon's miserly traits for comedic effect, a signature style of Louis de Funès.

While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, largely due to de Funès's popularity. It remains a well-known adaptation of Molière's classic play and is often cited as a key example of de Funès's comedic talent. The film aims to entertain a broad audience with accessible humor, sacrificing some of the original play's subtle social commentary in favor of broad comedic strokes.