Title: Portrait of a Lady on Fire Year: 2019 Language: FranceĀ (Subtitles)
Plot: When Marianne is commissioned to paintĀ HĆ©loĆÆseās premarital portrait in secret, she soon discovers why there is so much hesitance to rush the process. As they spend their days on an isolated island, the secret is revealed and the two become closer
Basic Review:
The plot of this film is incredibly romantic as Marianne studies and observes her model by day and traces her shape onto canvas by the fire at night.Ā
There is an immediate chemistry between the lovers as their relationship grows and it is passionately depicted throughout the film.
Unfortunately in the 18th Century when this was set, the happy ending we look for in these rare forms of representation is unlikely, but the closing scenes are simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking.
If youāre into period pieces, youāll appreciate the craft and attention to detail in costume and set design.
The men in this film have very few lines and screen time.
The film apparently featured no musical score so as to draw rhythm from elsewhere, such as the movements of the bodies and the paintbrush on canvas. This is very telling of the emotional nature of the film and the passion of the writer and director, CĆ©line Sciamma.
