Adolphe (2002) - film review

19th century France.  Twenty-year old Adolphe finds himself drawn irresistibly to Ellénore, a married woman who is ten years his senior.  Although she initially repels her young suitor’s unwanted advances, Ellénore soon yields to his charms and the two embark on a passionate love affair.  Hearing of this, Adolphe’s father is incensed; to ensure his son’s career and future happiness is not jeopardised, he resolves to separate the lovers.  However, by this stage, Adolphe’s affection for his mistress has begun to wane and he yearns to free himself from what is becoming a burdensome affair.  But he realises the terrible truth of his predicament. Ellénore has sacrificed everything for him and is still obviously very much in love with him.  The pain of separation would surely kill her...

Benoît Jacquot’s faithful adaptation of the novel "Adolphe" by Benjamin Constant is an absorbing and poignant account of an ill-fated love affair, made in a style that is evocative of a historical literary work. The director’s slow, understated and intimate style of cinema serves the film’s subject well, allowing him to convey the emotional ups and downs of an all too ephemeral romantic coupling with great feeling and realism.   If the film has a fault it is that neither of its lead actors – Isabelle Adjani and Stanislas Merhar – shows much in the way of any real emotion; indeed, both feel somewhat detached and uninterested in what they are doing.  Despite this, and despite being slightly over-long, this is still an attractive and engaging film.  One good reason for this is Benoît Delhomme’s achingly sombre cinematography, which manages to evoke the changing moods of a turbulent love affair to great effect.

© James Travers 2006

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