Name: From the Land of the Moon
Rating: 3.5

A superb French film about the depths of love - From the Land of the Moon review by PT

Spoiler Alert

29/09/2017

Gabrielle (Cottiard) dreams of an idealistic fairytale romance, nothing else will suffice. This passion first manifests itself in her infatuation with her tutor. She pens him an explicit letter about her love making wishes which she presents to him at a party. The married tutor rejects her advances, causing Gabrielle to push him into a table in front of her family. She then runs off into the woods in an hysterical , heartbroken mess.

Her family, respectable farmers, are worried about her mental health and irrational and crude behaviour. Her mother approaches one of their farm hands, namely Jose, who has an eye for Gabrielle, to ask if he'll make an honest woman of her. Against her wishes, but being that era, Gabrielle weds Jose. Although she tells him prior to the wedding that she will never love him.

Shortly into the marriage Gabrielle goes to a spa alone, for a cure for stones. Whilst there she meets a poorly soldier and her, the Princess has met her Prince charming mentality kicks back in greater than ever.

Marion Cottiard is hypnotic in a wonderful performance as Gabrielle, the depth of her love almost tangible. As is the depth of her long suffering husband's love. A beautifully shot and superbly acted film.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

Slow, sensitive, subtle human drama - From the Land of the Moon review by BW

Spoiler Alert

07/04/2018

This French film, somewhat strangely re-titled for English language viewers, is based on a novel by Milena Agus. The movie is certainly a slow-burner but, while many reviews have criticised its pedestrian pace, I found it progressively more engaging as it went on. 'Stick with it' would be my advice. There is a remarkable twist in the plot towards the end. The sets, wardrobe and accoutrements are lovingly vintage and quaint. I felt some emotional distance from the characters and was never fully involved, but it's a human drama with something to say. The film finds its way and is delicate, sensitive and subtle.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

slowly unwinding - From the Land of the Moon review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert

31/10/2018

Slow paced and very engaging. Interesting story with a good twist in the tale. The acting is superb

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Nothing wrong with it, just not my cup of tea - From the Land of the Moon review by RL

Spoiler Alert

12/12/2017

It's a very nicely acted and well put together piece, extremely atmospheric in places and with some filming of the landscapes that is pleasing on the eye. The story does start of a bit slow but the ending does make up for that. Altogether although there was nothing at all wrong with the film, it was just a bit sluggish at times and didn't really grip me. Can see why some may love it though.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

A great central performance let down by strange character choices & poor script - From the Land of the Moon review by TB

Spoiler Alert

28/03/2023

I’ve never been a huge fan of Marion Cotillard in the films I’ve seen her in. For example, in Inception, she came off as rather annoying and her character not relatable. I found myself wishing that Kate Winslet had been cast instead. Although I haven’t seen La Vie En Rose, after her Oscar win, there were a huge number of plaudits for her, and I had waited for the film where I could see why there was a huge fuss about her.

From the Land of the Moon is absolutely her film. She is the best thing in it and I was absolutely convinced by her character and acting, even though at times how it was written didn’t make her particularly likeable. I especially appreciated the complete fearlessness which she approached Gabrielle’s more extreme traits, giving a very vulnerable and unvarnished performance. It’s just a shame that the film itself is not deserving of her talents.

The worst thing about this film is that it takes an unbelievably long time to say not very much. There are flashes of brilliance, some beautiful landscapes and a good performance by Louis Garrel. But for me, the slowness never turned into a slow burn. It is simply a long drawn-out film. I will absolutely admit I was happy to keep watching, but there wasn’t the compulsion to want to get to the end, it was more simply to see where the film went.

I do appreciate the chances it takes and there absolutely will be an audience for it, but sadly the best I can say about it is that it was the first film which actually had a Marion Cotillard performance I enjoyed. I only wish the rest of it had lived up to this.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Don't waste your time - From the Land of the Moon review by Alphaville

Spoiler Alert

16/01/2019

Bland tale of a young woman in the French countryside, told for no reason in flashback. She’s bored by petty rural life and so is the viewer. Compare the brilliant evocation of rural Italy in the wonderful Call Me By Your Name. It’s the kind of film that focusses on irrelevant inconsequential things. When it opens with close-ups of food being eaten by a family in a car, you know what you’re in for. There’s not much to say about it except to describe the oh-so-slowly developing plot, and if you know that there’s no point in watching the film at all. In fact watch the tell-all trailer and save two hours of your life.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

The worst Twist ever seen - From the Land of the Moon review by RC

Spoiler Alert

12/11/2018

It is a beautiful film until the end. What a joke. Ending is appalling. Feel genuinely robbed and massively mislead. This could have been amazing but it's just nonsense.

Don't waste your time. I wish I hadn't invested in this.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Just read the book - From the Land of the Moon review by AS

Spoiler Alert

22/03/2020

The book was excellent, but does not translate very well to film. I found the film slow and confusing.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

too slow, unconvincing story - From the Land of the Moon review by BH

Spoiler Alert

03/09/2017

We gave up watching this film afte ran hour as we found the pace too slow and the characters and story unconvincing. You are much better off watching Marion Cottilard in "Two Days One Night."

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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Reviews (9) of From the Land of the Moon

A superb French film about the depths of love - From the Land of the Moon review by PT

Slow, sensitive, subtle human drama - From the Land of the Moon review by BW

slowly unwinding - From the Land of the Moon review by CP Customer

Nothing wrong with it, just not my cup of tea - From the Land of the Moon review by RL

A great central performance let down by strange character choices & poor script - From the Land of the Moon review by TB

Don't waste your time - From the Land of the Moon review by Alphaville

The worst Twist ever seen - From the Land of the Moon review by RC

Just read the book - From the Land of the Moon review by AS

too slow, unconvincing story - From the Land of the Moon review by BH

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