Waves break across the bow of a rowboat in 1760 France as cinematographer Claire Mathon's lens captures the rich blues of the water, Green of the land and grey of the rocks as the boat's passenger Marianne (Noemie Merlant) makes her way towards a distant island. The rough waters pitch the vessel tossing overboard tossing Marianne's precious supplies. She has been commissioned to paint the portrait of Heloise (Adele Haenel) A younger sister stepping in for her older recently deceased sibling to marry and the portrait will be sent to the expected suitor. Marianne learns the details of her assignment from Helosie's mother La Comtesse (Valeria Golino) before she departs the island including the fact that her predecessor a male painter failed as Heloise refused to sit. Marianne is officially on the island as a walking companion for her daughter. She will have to sketch her in secret during the day then translate those images into the portrait at night.
Director Celine Sciamma was looking to make a film that focused on the female gaze between two equals in this film. For the first several frames on screen the audience does not see either Heloise hair or faces as the walks tightly bound across the wind stripped Island terrain. Slowly the betrothed grows more comfortable with her new companion soon discovering the former's her true purpose, agreeing to sit and be painted then the pair develop an even greater bond.
Noemie Merlant is perfectly cast as the fiercely independent passionate painter. She starts out as an outside observer of her subject and slowly transforms into an active vested participant in Helosie's fate. Adele Haenel's portrayal of Heloise swings in many directions. She is reserved at first having been called home from the Nunnery to take her elder sister's place who may have fell or jumped to her death at the Brittany Island where she now resides. She then connects with Marianne first learning how to smoke a pipe then more deeply and intimately ultimately forced to make a decision to do what is best for her or for her family. The film is beautifully written, directed acted and shot love story that even though it is early days may still be remembered at the time when best films of the current decade are chosen.
**** Out of 4.
Portrait of A Lady on Fire | Celine Sciamma | France | 2019 | 121 Minutes.
Tags: 18th Century, Brittany, Commission, Painter, Pipe, Wedding Portrait, Gaze, Glance, Fire, Love Affair, Island, Cliffs, Sketching.
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