Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Philippe Claudel

Writer:

Philippe Claudel (writer)

Release Date:

19 March 2008 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A woman struggles to interact with her family and find her place in society after spending fifteen years in prison.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Hospital | Death | Parent Child Relationship | Art Gallery

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Juliette Fontaine
Elsa Zylberstein	...	Léa
Serge Hazanavicius	...	Luc
Laurent Grévill	...	Michel
Frédéric Pierrot	...	Capitaine Fauré
Claire Johnston	...	La mère de Juliette et Léa
Catherine Hosmalin	...	La conseillère d'insertion
Jean-Claude Arnaud	...	Papy Paul
Olivier Cruveiller	...	Gérard
Lise Ségur	...	P'tit Lys
Mouss	...	Samir (as Mouss Zouheyri)
Souad Mouchrik	...	Kaisha
Nicole Dubois	...	La DRH hôpital
Laurent Claret	...	Directeur hôpital
Marcel Ouendeno	...	Bamakalé

Also Known As:

I've Loved You So Long (UK) (USA)
So viele Jahre liebe ich dich (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and smoking.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

France | Germany

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Netherlands:6 | USA:PG-13 | Ireland:12A | Canada:G (British Columbia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:M | UK:12A | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

Company:

UGC YM

Quotes:

Juliette Fontaine: The worst prison is the death of one's child. You never get out of it.

Movie Connections:

References The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Moving Forwards

I found that this film stayed with me for a few days after I'd seen it. The film shows some strange behaviours which are resolved as the story unfolds (e.g., the initial attitude of the brother-in-law which seems both heartless towards his sister-in-law and insensitive towards his wife). The portrayal of the relationship of the sisters is well done while the development of the relationship between Scott-Thomas and Greville is beautifully drawn - in a way that only French directors manage; the smallest gestures having deep meaning. I thought the direction of the older child was nothing short of outstanding - that is how articulate 7 to 8 year old children behave. I think that this is a life-affirming film despite the obvious losses. There is both a literal and symbolic birth.