GEMMA BOVERY (France 2014) ***
Directed by Anne Fontaine

 

French director Anne Fontaine has always told whimsy tales such as AUGUSTIN and DRY CLEANING.  Her films are entertaining enough but seldom leave a longing impression.  GEMMA BOVERY falls in the same slot.

Fontaine turns to graphic novelist Posy Simmonds, adapting Gustave Flaubert's novel of romantic yearning, Madame Bovary, into GEMMA BOVERY, the film.

Set in Normandy, a married English couple moves next door to Martin Joubert, a baker (Fabrice Luchini).  The English woman (Gemma Arterton) is as bored as the baker and afterwards one day in the bakery, yes rolling dough, an affair begins.

It is surprising that both are looking for stability but end up indulging in instability.  Fontaine’s film is pretty (as they are all) to look at, but lacks the grand passion of the Flaubert novel.

So, what is the difference between the Flaubert and Fontaine stories?  For one, the film is set in the present, which does not work in its favour.  In 2014, unlike the past, there is much more to do and enchant Gemma.  Also, the film goes for life imitating art that does not really work either.  Martin finds the English couple that have moved next door similar to the Flaubert novel, even telling his wife and teenage son so.  Life in the film imitating art (literature) in the film.  But the curiosity is never really developed.  It is just there for speculation.

The English husband  (Jason Flemyng) is too oblivious and dull a character for someone who has left London for the French countryside.  Luchini is always best to watch, and he is the only one actor that brings life to this tale of polite debauchery.

The film ultimately resembles the character of Gemma Bovery.  Pretty but unfortunately a bit boring!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6AHGtq_zqk

Comments powered by CComment

Récent - Latest Posts

More in Cinéma - Movies  

Articles Menu

Recherche

Sur Instagram