Elective Affinities

1996

Elective Affinities

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

31%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 94

Elective Affinities Photos

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Movie Info

This French-Italian romantic drama is faithfully based on an early 19th century Goethe novel about the destruction of a married couple. They are Charlotte and Edouard, an aristocratic couple who married late in life and happily lives in a lovely Tuscan villa. Their peaceful, marital bliss is interrupted when Othon (Edourd's closest friend) and his goddaughter Ottilie, who was raised in a convent, arrive for an extended visit. The pregnant Charlotte immediately finds herself drawn to Othon while Edouard is attracted to the girl. As they act upon their impulses a tragedy ensues.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed By:

Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani
Written By:

Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani
On Disc/Streaming:

May 17, 2005
Runtime:

98 minutes

Cast

Isabelle Huppert
as Charlotte

Jean-Hugues Anglade
as Edouard

Fabrizio Bentivoglio
as Ottone

Marie Gillain
as Ottilia

Massimo Popolizio
as Marquis

Laura Marinoni
as Marquise

Stefania Fuggetta
as Agostina

Consuelo Ciatti
as Housekeeper

Gavino Bondioli
as Groundskeeper

Massimo Grigo
as Waiter

Adelaide Foti
as Landlady

Giancarlo Carboni
as Doctor

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Critic Reviews for Elective Affinities

All Critics (3) | DVD (1)

If you can believe it, here's a Goethe story that is insipid.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for Elective Affinities

Feb 05, 2011

"Elective Affinities" starts with Carlotta(Isabelle Huppert) and Edoardo(Jean-Hugues Anglade) being reunited after twenty years apart and deciding, why not, let's get married. A year later, they are still in the state of their marriage where they rarely leave the bed. But Edoardo has to get up to invite his friend Ottone(Fabrizio Bentivoglio) to their villa. While the two men get to hang out a lot, Carlotta feels increasingly left out. So she invites her adopted daughter Ottilia(Marie Gillain) to restore the balance but that only makes things worse. "Elective Affinities" begins well enough with the opening credits segueing nicely into the opening scene. However, the movie gets increasingly heavy handed as it goes along while also telegraphing its punches. So, maybe there are no shortcuts in life but does that mean that such intelligent, forward thinking people can act so incredibly stupid? In the end, it just goes to show you that you can never plan for every eventuality.

Walter M Super Reviewer