Rent I've Loved You So Long (2008)

Poor Subtitles - I've Loved You So Long review by CP Customer

This may very well be a very good film, but as my French is not that good, I couldn't tell. The English subtitles were more or less non-existant. After lots of French dialogue, a very brief, single sentence would appear, after some delay, in English. It was just really annoying, so I stopped watching. I have enoyed numerous foreign-made films in the past and this has never happened before. I hope this is not a trend to save money.

Screen prescence or what? - I've Loved You So Long review by CB

Wow, has any camera been able to frame a dodgy picture of Kristin?

The film has depth and honesty. Teases out the story in a very satisfying manner. The female leads are excellent.

Almost unbearable intensity - I've Loved You So Long review by CW

This was an intense and at times very moving study of the issues - sometimes an almost unbearable intensity in an honest and very thoughtful approach. I would recommend this film. Clive Williams

Satisfying - I've Loved You So Long review by TM

I wouldn't get this film if you're impatient. It kept me guessing till quite close to the end so that I had plenty of time to make up theories and try to understand the main character.

Beautiful haunting portrayal of sisterhood, motherhood and loss - I've Loved You So Long review by CP Customer

Superb female leads, beautiful and engaging sets and location, moving storyline, and utterly believable and engrossing direction. Loved this film. I would agree that the subtitles weren't perfect - they certainly were more than adequate at conveying the dialogue but even though my French is not amazing I know enough to discern that sometimes the nuances may have been lost in a rather brief, casual translation. But there was so much else to enjoy in this excellent production - the lighting and framing of shots, the pace, brilliant, brilliant Kristin Scott Thomas and her almost unbearable grief... Really worth a watch, however you feel about subtitles.

A superb drama, emotional and painful. Highly recommended. - I've Loved You So Long review by RP

This film won the 2009 BAFTA for 'Best Film Not in the English Language' - and deservedly so. The acting is excellent, the story emotional and painful as it tells the story of a woman attempting to reintegrate with her sister and family and their friends after release from prison.

Gradually it is revealed that not only has she been in prison but has served 15 years for murder, the murder of her 6 year old son, and in a final cathartic scene the reason is disclosed.

Kristin Scott Thomas is excellent in the lead role as is Elsa Zylberstein as her sister - they even look similar. I only wish that my French were better as I'm sure I missed some of the subtleties of the dialogue, too fast and colloquial for me. Certainly Kristin Scott Thomas' French is good - it should be as she's lived in France for some 35 years and married a Frenchman, but perhaps to a native speaker she may still show some trace of an accent - it's referred to in the film and also that the sisters have an English mother, who we briefly see in a nursing home. Part of the pain is that the parents disowned her after the murder trial, never mentioning her again.

The film brought me close to tears, particularly at the end where one line is "The worst prison is the death of one's child" - so very true.

My respects to Philippe Claudel who both wrote and directed the film - a great achievement.

Superb - 5/5 stars - highly recommended.

Excellent film - I've Loved You So Long review by MM

Agree with many of the comments already made, so won't repeat except to confirm very brilliant acting by main protagonists. A moving story, even if stretched credulity a little, brought tears to more than one eye here.