Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: a brilliant adaptation of Honoré de Balzac with a crazy cast.
Crowned with seven Césars, including those for Best Film, Best Actor for Benjamin Voisin, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Vincent Lacoste and Best Adaptation, Lost Illusions is a major work. A gem of staging of great romantic power, incredibly modern and ambitious, which absolutely must be (re)discovered.
Adapted from the novel by Honoré de Balzac, Lost Illusions, released in theaters in 2021, tells the story of Lucien. A young poet unknown in 19th century France, he who has great hopes and wants to forge a destiny for himself leaves the family printing business in his native province to try his luck in Paris, on the arm of his protector.
Soon left to his own devices in the fabulous city, the young man will discover the backstage of a world dedicated to the law of profit and pretense. A human comedy where everything is bought and sold, literature like the press, politics like feelings, reputations like souls. He will love, he will suffer, and survive his illusions.
Director Xavier Giannoli did not want to simply transpose Balzac’s novel into a film as is. “Art feeds on what it burns”he declares. “Cinema is by nature the transfiguration of a reality or a book. Otherwise what’s the point?”
After exploring the book and its story for years, Giannoli felt the need to break free from it. He decided to concentrate on the second part of the novel, A Great Provincial Man in Parisand highlights the contribution of Jacques Fieschi to the scenario. “He gave me a sensitive approach to the characters, helped me to humanize their relationships when Balzac seemed too mocking and punitive to me”notes the filmmaker.
Xavier Giannoli fought to film in Paris and was keen to film as much as possible on real locations. “The project was also to pay homage to “French splendor”, its spirit, its language, like its fabrics and its spaces”indicates the director.
If you’re not yet completely convinced about the idea of watching the impressive Lost Illusions, a quick look at the casting will probably be enough to put you in front of France 2: alongside Benjamin Voisin in the main role, we find in particular Cécile de France, Vincent Lacoste, Xavier Dolan or even Gérard Depardieu. Who says better ?
Tonight on France 2 at 9:10 p.m.
Lost illusions: meeting with Benjamin Voisin and Salomé Dewaels