Impromptu was a truly international film. To comply with Common Market restrictions, the film was incorporated as a British work, but coproduced by Ariane (a French company) and Sovereign Films (an American distributor), who put up the $6 million budget. Shot on location at the 18th century Chateau des Briottieres, near Angers in the Loire Valley of France (now a 4-star luxury hotel) between September 25 and November 15, 1989, the film was produced by Jean Nachbaur (as executive producer), Daniel A. Sherkow, and Stuart Oken. Oken wanted to give Lapine, famous for his collaboration as a playwright and director with Stephen Sondheim on Sunday in the Park with George (with Peters and Patinkin) and Into the Woods, a chance to direct a film. Lapine had long wanted to direct, but had trouble finding the right script. That opportunity came when his wife, screenwriter Sarah Kernochan ( Nine ½ Weeks (1986)) was laid off due to the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike. Lapine encouraged her to take advantage of the time off to "do something for herself." The result was the screenplay for Impromptu , which Kernochan described as "a free association of a personal nature based on a historical theme." To prepare for their roles as composers and performers, Grant and Sands worked with a piano coach, and John Strauss, a music consultant who had worked on Amadeus (1984) and Ragtime (1981).
Critics were mixed when Impromptu was released in the spring of 1991, with Janet Maslin writing that Lapine "never leans as far toward outright farce as Ken Russell might have, but his approach brings Mr. Russell's wildly irreverent biographical films to mind," and Roger Ebert calling Impromptu "a disorganized, confusing but amusing biopic." Despite an Independent Spirit Award for Judy Davis as Best Female Lead, Impromptu only earned a little over $4 million at the US box office.
By Lorraine LoBianco
SOURCES:
Corbett, Patricia "In 'Impromptu,' It's George Sand and Chopin Again" The New York Times 7 Jan 90
Ebert, Roger "Impromptu" Chicago Sun-Times 3 May 91
https://www.frenchentree.com/holidays-in-france/regional-holiday-guides/chateau-des-briottieres/
The Internet Movie Database
Maslin, Janet "Impromptu Review/Film; Chopin, George Sand, Liszt and Some Others" The New York Times 12 Apr 91
Trollinger, Gary "Not much point to 'Impromptu'" Reading Eagle 13 Jul 91
