I've Loved You So Long

Not a lot happens in this film. Juliette is released from prison after serving 15 years. She moves in with sister who makes her part of the family and gradually Juliette's bitterness, and the doubts of her sister's family, are overcome. It is a story of acceptance and a woman rebuilding her life with the support of her loving, if initially estranged, family.

Perhaps the fact that this is a French film helps - I can't but wonder if I would be as accepting of such a slow building film if it was set in, say, Yorkshire. There is also the 'novelty' of seeing Kristen Scott Thomas give a magnificent performance in French - although she has been based in France for several years she will perhaps, in many people's eyes, be best remembered as the wonderfully bitchy, and very upper class and English, Fiona in Four Weddings and Funeral. However, you have to doubt whether she would be offered such a role in a British or US film dealing with such a topic.

Whatever doubts you may have about seeing a subtitled film telling the story of a woman being released from prison, put them aside. Kristen Scott Thomas gives an outstanding performance supported by an excellent cast in a film that tells a simple story beautifully.