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

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlize Theron	...	Gilda Bessé
Penélope Cruz	...	Mia
Stuart Townsend	...	Guy Malyon
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Frans 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:

year 1944 | girl in panties | female frontal nudity | lingerie slip | women dancing together | 

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Taglines:

Three lives. One destiny.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, nudity and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hugh Grant was originally announced for the Stuart Townsend part.

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Quotes

Gilda Bessé: Beauty, bravery, and brains. What a catch. You also have a nice willy, and I hope to dream about it.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Rick & Pussy
Written by Jacques Aubran
Performed by Marie-Jacques Perrier

User Reviews

The emotions aren't convincing enough!

I am a huge fan of WWII era films. I enjoy seeing how costumes and persona's are played out in the film. When i read the synopsis of this particular one, i thought, 'this could be a good one'. But unfortunately, I was disappointed. Theron and Townsend seem as if they are worried too much of showing their real life emotions for each other throughout the film. The whole thing hardly ever connects well. I do like the fact that they spoke the original languages, I appreciate that concept and also, the costume designer did a wonderful job. Nevertheless, Charlize and Stewart look bored through the whole thing, and she also seems as if she is reading her lines from the palm of her hand. The emotions just AREN'T convincing enough.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Classics [United States]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English German French Spanish

Release Date:

30 October 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Head in the Clouds

Filming Locations:

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$46,133, 19 September 2004

Gross USA:

$398,278

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,664,858

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