Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Thérèse Desqueroux (2012, Dir. Claude Miller, France) (Cert: 12a/TBC) ***



Starring: Audrey Tatou, Gilles Lellouche, Anaïs Demoustier

 

Thérèse (Alba Gaïa Kragheld Bellugi/Tatou) is part of a wealthy family, who own a large number of acres in a pine forest. When she grows up, Thérèse marries Bernard Desqueroux (Lellouche) the older brother of Thérèse’s best friend Anne (Demoustier/Marty Matilda-Giraut), whose family also own a large area of pine trees. Whilst the marriage brings her wealth, she quickly begins to resent Bernard and feels trapped in a loveless marriage.

 

The last film from the late director Claude Miller, Thérèse Desqueroux is the latest screen adaptation of the 1927 Franҫois Mauriac novel of the same name. A bright and beautiful jewel for the eyes, every scene of the film has a gorgeous painterly look that seems meticulously accomplished. However, the film falls into a trap of trying to get a fairly complex story into a 111 minute film. Elements of the plot and characterisation can be hard to follow as a result and making the role of who should be sympathetic character (if anyone) rather unclear. It may take a few viewings to fully appreciate Thérèse Desqueroux, but at least it stands as a strong visual effort.

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