Review of I've Loved You So Long (2008) by Emily H — 02 Jan 2010

Director Phillipe Claudel presents us with a film that follows the "less is more" method of film making in this hypnotising French drama. The story centres on Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) who is reunited with her sister, Lea (Elsa Zylberstein), after 15 years of seperation. We learn that Juliette has been in prison for this period and Lea is letting her stay at the house she shares with her husband whilst she attempts to rebuild her life. One of the film's great strengths is the cleverly structured dialogue which forms the secretive shadow over Juliette's incarceration. However, the ghostly and guilt-ridden performance of Scott Thomas as Juliette was undoubtedly a feat requiring unusual strength and skill. The ingenuity of Claudel casting her as Juliette as the lead has resulted in one of the best performances of Kristin Scott Thomas' career. One that is unlikely to be equalled by her.

Despite the film's difficult subject matter, the film involves it's audience insomuch that it moves us from the solitude of misery and feeling lost to giving us a real sense of hope.

I've Loved You So Long is a striking and mesmerising work and whilst Elsa Zylberstein more than holds her own, ultimately the film belongs to Scott Thomas.