Cycling with Moliere

Gauthier Valence, an actor in his 50s, is popular thanks to his starring role on a television series. He wants to make his stage debut in "The Misanthrope" by Molière, in the role of Alceste. To play Alceste’s friend Philintea, he thinks of his old friend Serge Tanner. But the embittered actor abandoned the theater years ago and has been living on the Ile de Ré. In the pretext of looking for a property nearby, Gauthier travels there to submit his idea to his old friend. After initially turning the offer down, Serge agrees to spend a week in rehearsal, on the condition that he plays Alceste. Thrilled that his friend is accepting his proposal, Gauthier offers to alternate the coveted lead role with him.