Review of The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) by Daniel K — 31 Dec 2009
3: I didn't realize until very close to the end of the film exactly why it had this odd mirror structure. I can't remember ever seeing another film structured quite like it. This is to say that there are certainly other pictures about filmmaking, but they always have some sort of set up or explanation that is lacking here.
It's just so matter of fact that is ends up being slightly disconcerting and keeping one wondering just what the hell is going on. It just seemed very strange throughout much of the film, but eventually one realizes these dual stories will allow the filmmakers to have both a classic Hollywood ending and an unhappy ending.
In the romantic film within the film, the two lovers end up living happily ever after and rowing away in their little boat under the bridge. However, in the more modern take, Streep's character simply disappears and Irons is left sitting alone in an empty room.
Thus, the film is able to embrace both worlds, but it certainly seems as if the more modern take is given the last laugh. Both stories are compelling although the real one seems to be the film within the film.
This is part of what makes it so old that the picture ends in the modern world. It's an interesting experiment that wouldn't have worked without actors of this caliber. It likely would have worked better if it had led with Streep, instead of Irons.
This review of The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) was written by Daniel K on 31 Dec 2009.
The French Lieutenant's Woman has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
