Marguerite vs. FFJ - your thoughts

See both of them. They are equal in terms of casting decisions (both perfect) and both have excellent scripts. FFJ has wittier dialogue and physical business while Marguerite has more pathos.

Cinematography is very different. Marguerite was set in the 1920s and shot to look like a film of that era while FFJ is in modern Technicolor.

Both films make FFJ herself seem more likable than she really was.

I would ignore IMDB ratings if I were you because they're often done by people whom these films aren't targeting.


The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

You posted this a few months ago; I hope you and your mother enjoyed both films.

I watched them within a week of one another, Marguerite first, then FFJ, and I think this affected my opinion of the latter (I rated it lower - that whole "oh I've seen this one before" thing) but I'll try to be objective.

1. Neither is better, both are very good, FFJ is better as a comedy, M is better as a drama or even melodrama.
2. I think American audiences will prefer FFJ, but that's just a guess.
3. Just as you said, FFJ is lighter, wittier perhaps, M is more a character study if anything. I felt empathy and sadness for Marguerite, whereas I felt like we were all playing a mean joke/prank on Florence.
4. I'm guessing viewers will prefer FFJ and critics will prefer M.
5. Casting is about equal in my mind.