Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
The French know how to do romance.
Presentation:
Shot on Red, the film brings you back to another era with powerful performances from Noemie Merlant. I can't say the same for the angsty indifference of her counterpart's character. The romance is there, engaging and the addition of a young maid truly completes this puzzle.
Story:
This is a very good lesbian drama that never pushes any agenda, which i think even enhances the story. The film includes many French sensibilities including allegories, regret, and a callous and cautious foil. Although the romance timespan is short, you feel like the characters know each other for a lifetime. Some points of tension are lost in translation, but the core of the story still stands.
Conclusion:
Very similar to Girl with the Pearl Earring, this is fleeting love for the romantics. At the end of it all, you'll want to fall in love and feel the same pain if it can let you relive an ounce of those cherished memories.
Recommendations
Lee Chang-dong finds humanity where no one else does.