Review: I have loved you so long (French 2008)

2009 March 16

Title: I have loved you so long (2008)(Il y a longtemps que je t'aime)
(French with English Subtitles)
Starring: Kirstin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein,
Written and Directed by: Phillipe Claudel

When you see a person and get introduced to her by a few tell tale mannerisms of that person you form an opinion. If that person is being closed to the point of being rude then you think you know that she is no good. That is how the movie starts and the person who is at the receiving end of your judgment is the talented British Actor Kristin Scott Thomas. She gives a stellar performance in this beautiful, well crafted and performed French movie about human emotions, life and the twists and turns life brings on the most undeserved and unsuspecting victims. The movie is a great exposition of humanity and love and understanding.

The movies starts with Juliette Fontaine (Kirstin Scott Thomas) waiting in a depressed state in an airport when another young women comes excitedly to receive her and take her home. The beauty of this movie is that it is narrated such that every minute into the movie we learn more about the characters and this has the effect of the characters growing on us. Kirsten plays a woman who has something serious happened to her in life which we will only find out later into the movie. Luca is the young woman who comes to meet her. Since the reader will probably enjoy watching the movie as it unfolds I will try to be very secretive about the plot and the relationships between the various characters. The actress playing Luca has given such a beautiful and tender performance that is hard to say who has given a more noteworthy performance between the 2 leading ladies. I have no hesitation in nominating both for the best female lead actor roles. Elsa Zylberstein disappears into her character and makes the audience understand and imagine her part without really showing herself in her past. Her behavior the present gives the viewer a clue of what she was when she was younger and her relationships with others in the movie.

I was surprised that Kirsten Scott Thomas spoke French. It is a treat to watch her make the audience slide from one feeling to another towards her. She can be sad, she can be joyous and she can be that person who is just transitioning from being to sad to being joyous. Elsa Zylberstein says a lot in how she reacts to Kirsten Scott Thomas. It appears that she is made just for the role in this movie but hopefully that was just he convincing acting. I am sure she is a very versatile actress.

The story offers an excellent plot for good acting and direction. The small town French setting is very pleasant and the various characters we meet are interesting. The director of the movie has handled the subtle theme very well. It is a movie that everyone should watch.

I give this movie 8 out of 10.