We all have a past. Few, however, are quite as intoxicating and heartbreaking as Juliette Fontaine’s. In the 2008 French import I’ve Loved You So Long — or Il y a longtemps que je t’aime for foreign film buffs — expectations artfully collide with startling truths in a story that is simultaneously melancholy and uplifting.
The film opens with reunited sisters. Elsa Zylberstein plays Léa, a cheerful professor desperate to understand her tortured sister, Juliette, played by Kristin Scott Thomas. Juliette, on the other hand, is struggling to adapt to a new life living with her sister’s two adorable adopted daughters, a mute and eclectic grandfather and a dutiful yet sometimes grumpy husband. Bit by bit, we discover Juliette is the bearer of a dark secret: a 15-year sentence for an unspeakable crime. The rest unfolds in a spellbinding, can’t-look-away-fashion. Director Philippe Claudel is masterful in his delivery, creating a film that is explosive, yet subdued.
The driving force behind much of the film’s appeal is undoubtedly Kristin Scott Thomas’s command of the screen. Few actresses can express the same amount of heartache in a few lines of dialogue that Thomas masters in a glance here. When she does speak, each word is colored with a mystery and a wisdom that draws the viewer in and holds him transfixed until the credits roll. The Academy certainly made a mistake passing up Thomas in its nominations. Elsa Zylberstein also delivers a superb performance as an accepting, yet curious sister.
The beauty of the film lies in its ability to create discomfort. That may seem like an odd quality to praise, but it’s that very feeling that gives the film life after screening and makes the viewer carry the film for days after. Claudel gives us a character that we latch onto. Her world-weary, haunted attitude makes us yearn to know her and what happened to her. Then, we are taken aback when we find out. Juliette as the beautiful ex-con humanizes the face of a prisoner and makes us question how we view criminals. That questioning, coupled with the true nature of her crime — murder — will surely keep I’ve Loved You So Long in one’s mind for much longer than its 117 minutes. Furthermore, Juliette’s slow and steadied return to normalcy is fascinating to watch and is a testament to the benefits of self-acceptance. The film offers the best of both worlds: an emotionally touching — and a touch depressing — story that, despite its gloomy subject matter, still leaves the viewer with a glimmer of hope.
At times, the film carried on a bit longer than necessary and drew out scenes that appeared to have little relevance. Thankfully, this complaint was not recurring. The majority of the story scoots along at the right pace, slow enough to build suspense and fast enough to maintain attention. For fans of films that breed discussion and introspection, this French flick will definitely fit the bill.
I’ve Loved You So Long is a masterpiece the Academy unfortunately overlooked. A talented ensemble led by the impeccable Thomas showcases a memorable tale of pain and longing, love and approval. It’s a must-see for anyone looking for an intensely emotional experience.
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