Film Review
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
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Benoît Jacquot film:
À tout de suite (2004)
Film Synopsis
Provincial France, in the early 1800s. Adolphe is the 24-year-old scion
of a noble family who idles away his empty days and in doing so comes into
contact with Ellénore, the wife of a highly respected nobleman.
Even though Ellénore is ten years his senior, Adolphe cannot help
being drawn to her but when he tries to make her aware of his feelings for
her she merely rejects him. The young man persists and it is not long
before the two have embarked on a passionate love affair. Naturally,
Adolphe's father is outraged when he hears of his son's entanglement with
a married woman and does what he can to keep the two people apart.
By this time, Adolphe has begun to lose interest in Ellénore and wants
only to put an end to the relationship. But it is already too late
- Ellénore has given up her husband and her children to be with him.
Surely it would kill her if he insisted that they parted...?
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
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Film Credits
- Director: Benoît Jacquot
- Script: Benoît Jacquot,
Fabrice Roger-Lacan,
Benjamin Constant (novel)
- Cinematographer: Benoît Delhomme
- Cast: Isabelle Adjani (Ellénore),
Stanislas Merhar (Adolphe),
Jean Yanne (The Count),
Romain Duris (D'Erfeuil),
Jean-Louis Richard (Mr. d'Arbigny),
Anne Suarez (Mrs. d'Arbigny),
Jean-Marc Stehlé (Adolphe's Father),
Maryline Even (Housemaid),
Olween Heudig (La gouvernante),
Cindy David (La fille d'Ellénore),
Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis (Le fils d'Ellénore),
Bernard Ballet (Le préfet),
Isild Le Besco (La lingère),
Pierre Charras (Le valet de chambre),
Rémy Roubakha (Le concierge),
François Chattot (L'ambassadeur),
Patrice Juiff (L'ingénieur),
Jean-Claude Braquet (Le palefrenier),
Benjamin Rataud (Le barbier),
John Arnold (Le secrétaire d'ambassade)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Support: Color
- Runtime: 102 min