Head in the Clouds (2004)

From the roaring 1920s to the ruinous Spanish Civil War and Adolf Hitler's rise into power, the lives of an Irish schoolteacher, a provocative heiress and her Spanish muse are intricately interlaced, sharing the same destiny and passion.

Director:

John Duigan

Writer:

John Duigan

Stars:

Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penélope Cruz

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlize Theron	...	Gilda Bessé
Penélope Cruz	...	Mia
Stuart Townsend	...	Guy Malyon
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Major Franz Bietrich
Steven Berkoff	...	Charles Bessé
David La Haye	...	Lucien
Karine Vanasse	...	Lisette
Gabriel Hogan	...	Julian Elsworth
Peter Cockett	...	Max
Élizabeth Chouvalidzé	...	Fortune Teller
Jolyane Langlois	...	Gilda, Age 14
Sophie Desmarais	...	Élodie
Éloïsa Laflamme-Cervantes	...	Julie
Ivan Vukov	...	Undergraduate #1
Sebastian Bailey	...	Undergraduate #2

Storyline

On a rainy night in 1933, the young, rebellious and provocative heiress of a French champagne magnate, Gilda Bessé, storms into the quiet life of the timid Oxford undergraduate, Guy Malyon, taking him by surprise. And before he knows it, Guy is love-smitten, and taken in the Parisian apartment of the now famous photographer, Gilda, living under the same roof with her muse and Spanish political idealist, Mia. However, as Spain gradually succumbs to the Nationalists, Mia and Guy's commitment to the cause of the Spanish Republic will threaten to break up their bohemian and almost idyllic coexistence. In the end, as Adolf Hitler rises into power, can a war-torn Europe separate the three companions forever?

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Plot Keywords:

girl in panties | female frontal nudity | lingerie slip | women dancing together | striptease | 

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Taglines:

In a city of glamour at a time of decadence they met. An aristocrat, a soldier of conscience, and an entertainer. Together they shared a deep passion.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, nudity and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Russia] Sony Classics [United States]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English German French Spanish

Release Date:

30 October 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Bulutlarin üzerinde

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$46,133, 19 September 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$398,278, 6 January 2005

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,510,605, 18 January 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Remstar Productions, Dakota Films, Spice Factory

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hugh Grant was originally announced for the Stuart Townsend part.

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Quotes

Charles Bessé: If you are afraid of birthdays already, you'll be a wreck when you're my age...

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Connections

Referenced in La bisexualité: tout un art? (2008)

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Soundtracks

Minor Swing
Written by Stéphane Grappelli & Django Reinhardt
Used by permission of Jewel Music Publishing Inc.
Produced by Jean Robitaille
Performed by The John Jorgenson Quintet
John Jorgenson appears courtesy of J2/Pharaoh Records
Courtesy of HITC Productions Inc.

User Reviews

not great... but romantic and beautiful chemistry

I saw this movie not expecting much from it. I was more interested in seeing how the chemistry between Charlize and Stuart works as they are lovers in real life too.

The movie is a melodramatic love story that takes place in the years that preceded WW II and during the war. The story is rather predictable and quite boring sometimes.

But what makes this movie nice to see are some moments that are nicely portrayed by the main actors and that I find rather moving. And if something makes this movie special, is Stuart Townsend that gives a certain feeling to his character.

In the end, I liked the movie as I ignored some of its flaws (like most of the movies I see)and appreciated the overall atmosphere created, a couple of moving a memorable scenes and the beautiful chemistry between Charlize and Stuart. I think, it is underrated. It should be around 6.5-7. I give him an 8, as a balance.