Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

A beautiful, poetic French movie with a very unique film style and amazing characters. It's extremely captivating despite it's sparse verbiage and lack of background music.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ // 5 STARS

Director: Céline Sciamma (writer as well)

Where to Watch: I watched on 123movies!

Google User Rating: 91% liked this movie!

"You were right. I am scared. Do all lovers feel they’re inventing something? I know the gestures. I imagined it all, waiting for you." (Héloïse)

This is a serious movie, but not a serious review/summary, screw formality, I just want to share my thoughts about movies.

Also, get out your French to English dictionaries, because this movie is NOT in English! Just kidding, 123movies has subtitles.

Quick Synopsis

This movie takes place in the late 1700s someplace in France, and the plot is actually quite simple here. Marienne's a painter who's been hired by Héloïse's mother to paint a portrait of her to be sent to a prospective husband in Milan. The only problem is, Héloïse won't pose for the portrait as obviously she doesn't want to be married to a random Italian man. Marienne is tasked to paint a portrait of Héloïse without her knowing, and is said to be her walking partner assigned to her because her sister killed herself, and now her mother's afraid she's going to jump off the

cliffs that they live by (the setting of this movie is gorgeous, it's all cliffs and ocean and plains it's so nice). Marienne finished the portrait, not speaking with Héloïse too much, but they both are emotionally connected in a way? There's tension, that's for sure. Sexual tension? Sure. Anyways, feeling guilty, Marienne tells Héloïse her true purpose for being with her, and Héloïse takes it pretty well, in a way. She simply critics it for being bland, and is pretty much like "is that really how you see me? So lifeless?" So Marienne destroys the painting in a passionate frenzy and now we know she clearly cares about Héloïse. Héloïse now decides that she'll pose for Marienne, hmm wonder why hehe,

and they both spend a lot of time with each other, as well as a couple of secondary characters, and if you haven't figured it out by now, they fall in love! But what happens next? Guess you'll have to find out, will there be a happy ending? What will happen when the paintings done? Who knows! I know... but you probably don't know yet though.

Official Review

This movie is a true work of art. You might question it in the first 20 minutes, but stick with it, I promise you won't regret it. Just thinking about it I want to cry, you would think it would be a crap movie considering there's a relatively small amount of talking, and I think there are only two scenes with music (both of which are necessary for the scene), but the actresses are just so amazing at portraying emotions that no words are needed. Everything worth being said is said through facial expressions, it's crazy how genius the movie is. Also, strange note, but the women have armpit hair?? That's how you know a historical movie is directed by women,

historical accuracy people! It's such a raw romance, I don't even know how to put it! Not like I've been in love, oh well! But it's the purest form of love. Not to mention, the director/writer and the actress that plays Héloïse are lesbians, and even had a relationship with each other! Knowing that they're both lesbians really explains how natural Marienne and Héloïse's chemistry is, there's no awkwardness, everything is planned and meaningful. And the ending, oh my god... I couldn't tear my eyes away. Guys, this movie is genius, watch it, you won't regret it. You definitely have to get used to the type of film it is, but I promise it's worth it.

Oh, one last thing I want to talk about, their characters! Maybe this should go under synopsis but whatever. Marienne is stoic and mature, while Héloïse seems younger and more fiery, neither of which reveal themselves until later in the film. Both characters are so secretive and I felt like I never knew when they would finally kiss until the moment they did, and that's one of the things I love about the movie. The audience doesn't get to know every single thought of the characters, they have to notice the subtleties of their personalities and actions.

This movie really is so simply on the surface, but I've heard that those who rewatch the movie a couple more times find new details, and that there's always something they missed! My tiny pea brain can't comprehend the intricacy of this movie, but maybe you can. So watch it!! Now!

Cast/Heartthrobbes

Alright, not to say our leading ladies aren't hot as hell, because they are, but one of the reasons I love historical movies so much is because the women are portrayed as a different kind of beautiful than today. It just feels different. All types gorgeous, but each type unique and special. They are just so beautiful to me but not in a lustful way, you know? Beautiful in and out, baby. Noémie Merlant plays Marienne and is an amazing actress, Adèle Haenel plays Héloïse and is of equal splendor. I think they're perfect for the roles, and they work so well together. Like I said, not much dialogue, only very specific scenes and facial expressions, so you'll just have to watch! Seriously... watch it. No backing out!