Do you know what is the highest rated film in the career of Cécile de France, currently showing in “Bonnard, Pierre et Marthe”? Size index: he won 7 Césars.
Revealed in the early 2000s, largely thanks to the success of Cédric Klapisch’s The Spanish Inn, which earned her a César (to which she then added the one received for her sequel, The Russian Dolls), Cécile de France appeared in forty-five feature films in just under twenty-five years.
Among them, only two obtained an average rating greater than or equal to 4 out of 5 among AlloCiné’s reviewers: Mesrine – The Death Instinct and Lost Illusions. Which, from the top of its 4.3, stands out as the best film by the Belgian actress, following this scale.
7 Caesar in 2022
Directed by Xavier Giannoli, who had already directed it in When I Was a Singer, this adaptation of the homonymous novel by Honoré de Balzac won no less than seven Césars in 2022. Including those for Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Vincent Lacoste) or Best Male Newcomer (Benjamin Voisin).
Also named, if not rewarded, Cécile de France plays a secondary but nevertheless important role: that of Louise de Bargeton, an unhappy woman dependent on her husband’s wealth, who becomes the mistress of Lucien de Rubempré, the character main character played by Benjamin Voisin.
Gaumont Distribution
“A great film, a great adaptation”
Among the 567 reviews posted on the film’s profile, 149 give it a rating ranging from 4.5 to 5 out of 5. That’s a little more than a quarter. “A great film, a great adaptation”ignites ChouX_D. “Benjamin Voisin has found his great role, Vincent Lacoste is irresistible. Beyond the fact that Balzac was already speaking in his time about subjects that correspond to our time and its media, Giannoli adapts it with elegance, talent and relevance.”
“This powerful work clearly reflects the shift of Restoration France into the most unbridled and amoral liberalism”presses on his side Willie Cicci. “The description of the newspaper editorial offices then in full turmoil is fascinating, as are the hesitations of each character in the face of their destiny, between success and decadence.”
Perfection in the sets, the costumes, the dialogues and especially the music which plays a role as important here as its dream casting
For Mr cinematok, “Xavier Giannoli makes us Milos Forman (Amadeus) in the French style, perfection in the sets, the costumes, the dialogues and especially the music which plays a role as important here as its dream casting, to bring us into this romantic, tragic work of Balzac, and ultimately a very contemporary adventure.”
And Olivier_78 speaks of a “masterful film”transfigured by its actors. “When we leave we say to ourselves that it’s reassuring that we can still make such films”he concludes while Julien D down the card “masterpiece”as Pierre Kuzorand Claire M. Talk about “REAL cinema”.
Have you seen Lost Illusions, in theaters, on video or when it was recently broadcast on France Télévisions? If so, do you agree with these rave opinions, particularly on the casting?