avik-basu1889 There is a lot to love in Philippe Claudel's film 'I've Loved You So Long'. This is a completely character driven film which has little to do with plot and story progression. Juliette remains a fascinating character throughout the film due to her past actions. Claudel keeps the viewer intrigued about getting to know why she did what she did in her past life. The character moments of her bonding with her sister Lea after a long spell of alienation while Lea's husband remains somewhat apprehensive felt very natural and intimate. Juliette's scenes with Lea and Luc's daughters were also executed with the right amount of intimacy and complexity.Kristin Scott's Thomas' performance is probably the best thing in the entire film. She is playing a character who has not been able to forgive herself for her actions. The pain, the guilt and the suffering is completely visible in her eyes, her face and her expressions. She plays the role of a broken character who has been given an opportunity to start afresh after being released from prison, but Thomas' detached and restrained demeanour shows us perfectly that Juliette might have been released from prison, but she has not been able to get over her past and forgive herself. She slowly begins to loosen up as the film progresses to try to move on and restart her life. Elsa Zylberstein also deserves a mention. She puts a lot of humanity in the character of Lea giving her a sensitive layer.The direction is restrained and non-flashy which I think is the best way to approach a mature and immensely personal subject such as this. Claudel allows the actors/characters to take center stage instead of using directorial flourishes that draw attention. Once or twice, he will slowly zoom into a character's face to pick up a particular transition in expression or use a meticulously framed shot to imply a bigger theme. There is one distinctive long take in the film which is very well executed. We move from one part of the house to another in the uninterrupted shot and Claudel gently shows the transition of the mood from pleasant to awkward and back to pleasant again during that one single take. The stripped down, raw manner in which the main characters are explored is a bit reminiscent of Mike Leigh, while the awkwardness that engulfs certain other scenes are Haneke-esque.However, I think the film has its flaws too which are mostly in its script. There are a few individual scenes in the film that felt very weak and clichéd like the scene with the arm dislocation or the scene with the discussion on Dostoyevsky or even the manner in which a co-incidence is used to make Lea aware of the facts that led Juliette to do what she did in the past. These scenes felt rushed, underdeveloped and a bit out of place from the rest of the film. They don't damage the film completely, but they certainly do stick out in a big way.Overall, 'I've Loved You So Long' is a good film with a fantastic performance from Kristin Scott Thomas. The conflict and the theme of the film is very intimate and relatable. Philippe Claudel's direction is mature, but the writing in some scenes is a bit weak. But it certainly should be recommended.

Mr Andserson I can not say enough good things about this movie, had me forget completely there was subtitles. Never been so moved by a movie, it just get to you in a good way as the movie slowly progresses. It is about compassion, forgiveness of yourself and about getting over insurmountable problems in life.The brilliant Kristin Scott Thomas does the best part I have ever seen her in, so introvert yet you sense her feelings all the way, surely a big mistake her performance wasn't rewarded with an Oscar. Also credits to the other actors especially Elsa Zylberstein does a great job as her younger sister.

Gordon-11 This film tells the story of a woman who is reunited with her sister after fifteen years in prison."I've Loved You So Long" starts off wooden and plain, as Juliette needs time to readjust to the life outside prison. Slowly, she warms up to her new environment, and people around her warm up to her. Initially we don't know why Juliette has been away for so long, we only find out as the story unfolds slowly. I really like the story telling in this film. The ending is great too, as it really exposes the pain of a mother who is consumed with guilt. She hopes for absolution, and the only way to do that is to go to prison.The story of "I've Loved You So Long" is very engaging. Kristin Scott Thomas gives a great performance too, and she literally look younger and more radiant as the film progress. I enjoyed watching this film.

Sindre Kaspersen Philippe Claudel's literary character portrait premiered at the Berlinale in 2008 and tells the story of Juliette, a middle-aged woman who tries to find her place in society and reestablish contact with her family after having spent fifteen years in prison. Juliette arrives in Lorraine, France where she is reunited with her sister who is now married and has two daughters. Léa invites her to live with her family on temporary basis even though her husband feels uneasy by her sister's sudden arrival.French writer and director Philippe Claudel's concise psychological drama about a woman's mysterious past and challenging present, is an audacious and instantly engaging directorial debut, a substantial study of character and a distinct female portrait which examines themes such as trust, family relations, interpersonal relations, forgiveness, longing, loneliness, and grief in a clear and insightful way. The editing that occurs sporadic between the long takes creates rhythm and the instrumental theme song emphasizes the films essential atmosphere.The cinematography is a versatile variation of Kristin Scott Thomas portraits and with his acute filming, Philippe Claudel reveals the wide range of expressions in her face. In the role as the impenetrable Juliette, Kristin Scott Thomas delivers one of 2009s most memorable acting performances. The almost incomprehensible way she controls and balances the protagonist's emotional complexity, creates a level of intensity that no technical effects could have replaced and that becomes crucial to the films continuity. The dialog is sharp, French actress Elsa Zylberstein's supporting acting performance and the subtle realism in this universal independent film is notable.