A Woman's Life
Seen it?2016 | 119 min | Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite a box office flop. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Aimed squarely at lovers of period drama and readers who like to compare the book and the screen version. The costumes and settings are a feast on their own. Adapted from a book, so readers can compare notes.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 59 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.
Normandy, 1819. Jeanne is a young woman full of childish dreams and innocence when she returns home after finishing her schooling in a convent. She marries a local Viscount, Julien de Lamare, who soon reveals himself to be a miserly and unfaithful man. Little by little Jeanne’s illusions are stripped away.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Venice award: Venice International Film Festival: Best Cinematography. Plus 1 other award.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 2K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stéphane Brizé
- Judith ChemlaJeanne Le Perthuis des Vauds
- Jean-Pierre DarroussinLe baron Simon-Jacques Le Perthuis des Vauds
- Swann ArlaudJulien de Lamare
- Yolande MoreauLa baronne Adélaïde Le Perthuis des Vauds
- Nina MeurisseRosalie
- Clotilde HesmeGilberte de Fourville
- Alain BeigelGeorges de Fourville
- Olivier PerrierL'abbé Picot
- Finnegan OldfieldPaul de Lamare
- François-Xavier LedouxL'abbé Tolbiac