Lost Illusions

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2:20

Lost Illusions

2022

2h 29m

Drama

History

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In 1821, Lucien de Rubempré (César winner Benjamin Voisin) arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, widely available of late. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Étienne Lousteau (César winner Vincent Lacoste), Lucien agrees to write rave theater reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. With this sweeping adaptation of one of Balzac's greatest novels, Xavier Giannoli crafts a contemporary tale of corruption amidst an early form of "fake news".

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Critics Consensus

Lost Illusions honors its classic source material with a beautifully acted drama that untangles knotty themes with infectious energy.

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Steve Davis

Austin Chronicle

Jul 7, 2022

The only way to avoid a disastrous debut is to shell out a higher fee to the provocateur in return for applause and a standing ovation... Lost Illusions deserves this rave simply based on its commendable merits.

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Noëlle D. Lilley

Chicago Reader

Jul 1, 2022

Xavier Giannoli’s film is hilarious and always moving with vivid colors and rapid-fire narration that in another movie might feel heavy-handed but here is a guiding force that gives a fascinating quasi-history lesson.

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Pat Padua

Washington Post

Jun 28, 2022

3.5/4

Lost Illusions vividly depicts a time when life was more hands-on, when writing with pen and ink stained the skin and disgruntled audiences hurled actual rotten tomatoes at performers.

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Stephanie Bunbury

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Sep 16, 2023

It may not be innovative, but it is certainly grand.

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Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

Oct 1, 2022

4/5

Students of French history and literature, particularly the post-Napoleonic/Bourbon Restoration era and the works of Honoré Balzac, are likely to find Lost Illusions of interest.

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Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

Aug 18, 2022

Xavier Giannoli’s truly sumptuous adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s novel Lost Illusions is prescient, modern, and yet thoroughly grounded in its time.

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Jim R

@RT41563624 Dec 29, 2024

I was surprised how good this was. On his first appearance Voisin seems another forgettable pretty boy but soon emerges as very talented. it is Lacoste, however, who steals the show, a complex character at once likeable and despicable. The narration offers a generous slice of Balzac's direct, cutting prose. And to think I thought today's literary scene was corrupt! It can't hold a candle to these flip scheming rogues. Depardieu is fun as the crass witty publisher. However, if he gets any fatter, they'll have to bring back Cinerama.

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darren m

@DarrenM May 12, 2023

A masterpiece film, but with two minor flaws imo. One two many sex scenes and too much narration.

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s p

@S1337 Jan 17, 2023

Superbe, the essence of the human soul is captured.

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Aug 7, 2022

The greatest 02 hours: and 29 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Alan H

@Howie10 Jul 8, 2022

Wonderfully produced and superbly acted. It was almost a private screening as only two (separately) of us in the cinema, but unlike so many films which rely on ‘crowd reaction' this engulfs you without need for anyone else's responses. The rise and fall of a dreamer consumed by desire to aspire to artistic brilliance thwarted by the elitist class set to keep such talent in their place. Class system at its worst.

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heather c

@RT86080563 Jun 23, 2022

I love a good French film but sometimes they can be boring, even for me, but luckily Lost Illusions will keep your attention from start to finish. The Honoré de Balzac story might have been written from 1837-43 but the themes of selling out and fake news are completely relevant today. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

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Xavier Giannoli

Director

Benjamin Voisin

Lucien

Cécile de France

Louise de Bargeton

Vincent Lacoste

Etienne Lousteau

Xavier Dolan

Nathan d'Anastazio

Salomé Dewaels

Coralie

Lost Illusions: Trailer 1

2:20

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Synopsis

In 1821, Lucien de Rubempré (César winner Benjamin Voisin) arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, widely available of late. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Étienne Lousteau (César winner Vincent Lacoste), Lucien agrees to write rave theater reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. With this sweeping adaptation of one of Balzac's greatest novels, Xavier Giannoli crafts a contemporary tale of corruption amidst an early form of "fake news".

Director: Xavier Giannoli
Screenwriter: Jacques Fieschi, Xavier Giannoli, Jacques Fieschi, Yves Stavrides
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Curiosa Films, Umedia, Gaumont, Pictanovo, France 3 Cinéma, Gabriel
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $124.6K
Runtime: 2h 29m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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