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Total Eclipse (1995)

R  111 min  -  Biography | Drama | Romance   -  3 November 1995 (USA)
6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 5,473 users  
Reviews: 76 user | 24 critic

The self-destructive relationship between 19th-century teenage French poet Arthur Rimbaud and his older mentor Paul Verlaine.

Writer:

Christopher Hampton (screenplay)
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio ...
David Thewlis ...
Romane Bohringer ...
Mathilde Maute
Dominique Blanc ...
Isabelle Rimbaud
Felicie Pasotti Cabarbaye Felicie Pasotti Cabarbaye ...
Isabelle, as a child
Nita Klein Nita Klein ...
Rimbaud's Mother
James Thiérrée James Thiérrée ...
Frederic
Emmanuelle Oppo Emmanuelle Oppo ...
Vitalie
Denise Chalem Denise Chalem ...
Mrs. Maute De Fleurville
Andrzej Seweryn Andrzej Seweryn ...
Mr. Maute De Fleurville
Christopher Thompson Christopher Thompson ...
Carjat
Bruce Van Barthold ...
Aicard
Christopher Chaplin Christopher Chaplin ...
Charles Cros
Christopher Hampton ...
The Judge
Mathias Jung Mathias Jung ...
Andre
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Storyline

In 1871, Paul Verlaine (1844-1896), an established poet, invites boy genius Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) to live with Paul and his young pregnant wife, Mathiltde, in her father's home in Paris. Rimbaud's uncouth behavior disrupts the household as well as the insular society of French poets, but Verlaine finds the youth invigorating. Stewed in absinthe and resentment, Verlaine abuses Mathiltde; he and Rimbaud become lovers and abandon her. There are reconciliations and partings with Mathiltde and partings and reconciliations with Rimbaud, until an 1873 incident with a pistol sends one of them to prison. Codas dramatize the poets' final meeting and last illnesses. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Poet | 19th Century | Pregnant Wife | Prison | Absinthe  | See more »

Taglines:

Impassioned by genius. Inflamed by desire. Imprisoned by love. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, language, and some startling violence See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | France | Belgium

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Eclipse totale See more »

Filming Locations:

Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$339,889 (USA)
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Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

David Thewlis shaved part of his head especially for the film so as to look like the real Verlaine. See more »

Goofs

Anachronisms: In the Café Andre where the adult Isabelle Rimbaud meets with Paul Verlaine, the typeface on the window is clearly in Helvetica, a typeface that was not created until 1954. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Paul Verlaine: Sometimes he speaks in a kind of tender dialect of the death which causes repentence, of the unhappy men who certainly exist, of painful tasks and heartrending departures. In the hovels where we got drunk he wept looking at those who surrounded us, the cattle of poverty...
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Connections

Referenced in "Entourage: The Scene (#1.7)" (2004) See more »