Adolphe (2003)

Synopsis: With ADOLPHE, French director Benoit Jacquot (A SINGLE GIRL, SCHOOL OF FLESH) brings Benjamin Constant's celebrated 19th Century novel to life. Adolphe (Stanislas Merhar) is a spoiled... With ADOLPHE, French director Benoit Jacquot (A SINGLE GIRL, SCHOOL OF FLESH) brings Benjamin Constant's celebrated 19th Century novel to life. Adolphe (Stanislas Merhar) is a spoiled twenty-four-year old who discovers the beautiful Ellenore (Isabelle Adjani) at a party one night. A recently widowed mother of two, Ellenore currently resides with The Count (Jean Yanne), although theirs is a passionless relationship. Adolphe is filled with an excruciating desire for Ellenore, and after declaring his love for her in a heartfelt letter, Ellenore finally succumbs to his temptation. Soon, Ellenore has become deeply obsessed with Adolphe, while Adolphe begins to question his feelings for Ellenore. But at this point it's far too late. Feeling guilt over his change of heart, Adolphe worries that Ellenore might do something drastic if he terminates their romance, and so he lamely extends the emotional charade. What results is an exhausting, conflicted relationship that leaves both individuals in a state of constant misery. Jacquot's film is a harrowing depiction of a relationship that is doomed from the very beginning. In Adjani, he has found a perfect Ellenore, a woman who is trapped in a world simmering with repression, reducing her to a ball of desperate emotion. Part of Rendez-Vous With French Cinema 2003 presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Unifrance, and The French Film Office/Unifrance USA, together with French Cultural Services. [More]

Starring: Isabelle Adjani, Stanislas Merhar, Jean Yanne, Romain Duris

Starring: Isabelle Adjani, Stanislas Merhar, Jean Yanne, Romain Duris

Director: Benoit Jacquot

Director: Benoit Jacquot
Screenwriter: Benoit Jacquot, Fabrice Roger-Lacan
Producer: Laurent Petin, Michele Halberstadt

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