Adolphe (2002)
Directed by Benoît Jacquot

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.

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...?