Beautifully constructed love story
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by TE
A truly absorbing film. The story is carefully paced and builds to an intense final section.
The director, Celine Sciamma, is very interested in the concept of the 'gaze' and much of her work is devoted to giving space and weight to the female gaze. Using a woman portrait artist as a co-lead character is perfect for this purpose.
There is a real spark between the two female leads, and the main narrative is enhanced by the character of the housemaid.
The interior scenes are stark and unfussy, which foregrounds the physical presence of the women. The exterior scenes are often very beautiful and wild.
11 out of 12 members found this review helpful.
Wonderful, captivating film
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by GC
This was a lovely film that really made us reflect on its content long after the final credits. Tremendous acting from all involved and yet again, fine directing by Céline Sciamma, and the costuming, the lighting and the sets were so well created. And the movie touched on storyline elements that would have been completely taboo at the time, nay even fifty years ago.
9 out of 10 members found this review helpful.
Great acting, beautiful photography
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by Peter B
Very atmospheric french film with great actresses and beautiful cinematography. Memorable film, think arthouse. Great attention to detail with interesting costumes and stunning locations. Not one for those who like plenty of action in their films, this is a slow-burn love affair between the two main characters.
9 out of 10 members found this review helpful.
Love and delicacy
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by JL
Loved it. Gentle, wise and moving. It almost felt like a film that a man couldn't have made. The writing, acting and direction had a wonderful focused intent, enveloping us in a mystery that I (a man) felt privileged to share.
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Stirring romantic drama
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by AER
This film had a real beating heart and it really took me places. It's very subtle until the film's ending which hedges its bets with a double pay-off, where one would have been ample. Otherwise, this film was touching, emotional, and engrossing every step of the way. I wanted to see this at the cinema but lockdown came along. The film is virtually silent / very quiet passages, and I can imagine it would have been hell if there were people rustling sweep wrappers and talking throughout. LOL. Celine Sciamma and her cast have delivered 2020's masterpiece in my opinion.
Recommended.
3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Disappointing
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by EW
Beautifully shot but very slow and disappointing. By the end I really felt it was dragging and overworked. Think Sciamma’s other film ‘Tomboy’ is a lot more interesting.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Amazing
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by EA
Amazing and beautiful. Watched urban few weeks ago and am still thinking about it. The depiction of artistry, and the beauty and sadness of women's lives in 19th century was powerful. I especially enjoyed the extras about painting technique.
Great film.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Exceptional historical French film centring on female experiences of love
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by Mr Aquarium
A measured film which we enjoyed; I'd add more, but the comments - in the positive reviews below - have already nailed the fim's effect.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Highly overated
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by DN
Here we go again, yet another 2 hour French film that goes on and on without getting anywhere.
Acting was pretty standard, cant even say it was beautifully fimed. as for the story itself, it wasnt romantic, erotic or have any real twist or meaning.
Sat throught the whole 2 hours before arriving at the best part of the film....... the final credits!
Gave the film a whole 2 stars...... at least it wasn't dubbed into some Trans-Atlantic drawl.
1 out of 6 members found this review helpful.
Tedious, very very tedious
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire review by Alphaville
Céline Sciamma’s dreary arthouse films are all about concept rather than execution. They’re like film-school student exercises for an art gallery. This is another that is painfully slow, sedate and scoreless (trailers for her films cheat by adding music and edits to seduce the unwary). Shot after shot, held far too long, is a medium or close-up of talking heads, either looking at the camera or at each other.
This particular strained effort has some nice coastal scenery, but it can’t make up for the lack of cinematic interest or plot substance. Naturally it has garnered good reviews among the “Emperor’s Clothes” arthouse crowd. What’s it about? If you must know, it’s about a relationship between two women, but who cares when it’s this painful to watch?
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful.