Movie Review: I've Loved You So Long

This is simply one of the best movies I've seen in quite a while. I rented it from Netflix about two months ago, and had just about given up on ever watching it and sending it back unseen.

But I finally found an evening to myself to sit and watch it. It is the kind of movie that demands complete attention. For one, it's in French, so you need to sit still to read the subtitles. More, it's an emotionally intense movie, so to receive the full impact, I found it necessary to have a "movie theater" experience ... i.e. to sit quietly in my living room, film on the big screen, lights dimmed, popcorn in hand, phone off, no outside distractions.

I'm so glad I finally took that time!

This is the story of two estranged sisters who find their way back to each other after 15 years of physical and emotional separation. It's much more a character-driven film than plot-driven cinema. That fact all by itself drew me to this movie.

The plot is this: Older sister gets out of prison. Younger sister brings older sister into her family of husband, two adopted daughters, mute father-in-law, and academic colleagues. Husband doesn't trust older sister with his children because older sister was in prison for murder. Family slowly learns to know and trust each other. Older sister learns to live in the world again. Reason for the murder finally emerges. Sisters reunite completely.

Pretty boring, huh?

But the acting! Holy moly!

This film was nominated for a couple Golden Globes. The writer-director received one. The other, very deservedly, was for acting by Kristin Scott Thomas, the older sister. In so much of this movie, all the action takes place on her face:

• The vague empty stares as she tries to adjust to the world outside prison.
• The restrained longing as she watches her nieces.
• The release in the presence of books and a mute father-image.
• The bit of life that begins to emerge over coffee with her parole officer.
• The naughtiness when she reveals a recent indiscretion.
• The pain that washes over her as she recalls incidences with her son.
• The gradual letting down of defenses as she reads, looks at art, begins confiding in a family friend.
• The peace and pride as she makes steps to get back on her feet.
• The repulsion of confronting an irreparable connection.
• The total meltdown as she admits truth.
• The hope of redemption.

Relationship.

Much more than a chick flick.

I suppose that's why this movie touched me so deeply. I'm all about relationships. Broken relationships with family are particularly wrenching. But it's also about repairing a brittle relationship with your own past misdeeds to find hope for the future, a measure of peace, and solace within.

5 stars