A Very Long Engagement (2004) 
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Monday, June 13, 2005
This World War I mystery finds limitless beauty in the nostalgia of loss. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, whose whimsical AMELIE riveted audiences, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT also stars Audrey Tautou--the 21st century's Audrey Hepburn--in the stubbornly emotional role of a widow in denial. Here she is Mathilde, a waifish young woman with a pronounced limp from childhood polio. Living with her quirky aunt and uncle in a farmhouse by the sea, and waiting desperately for her fiance Manech (Gaspard Ulliel) to return from the war, she believes that if he were truly lost she would feel it in her heart. Thus, when the bad news arrives--Manech and five fellow soldiers were exiled to No Man's Land for shooting off their own fingers in hope of being discharged--Mathilde refuses to believe he is dead. Instead, she begins her own investigation into Manech's infantry, hiring a private detective and tracking down the wives and girlfriends of each of Manech's compatriots. Conducting countless interviews, Mathilde pieces together Manech's war stories--which are told in earthshaking flashbacks involving gruesome explosions, flying guts, and massive suffering. And yet, the all-in-this-together humanity of these awful scenes, and the heartfelt bravery with which Mathilde absorbs the details of each battle, is undeniably moving. Jodie Foster appears as Elodie, one of the widows, in a charismatic yet muted performance and with a flawless accent. However, the most intriguing of the widows is Tina Lombardi (Marion Cotillard), a thrilling dominatrix-assassin bent on avenging her lover. A timeless masterwork that raises the bar for breathtaking camerawork, vivid landscapes, and fantastical storytelling, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT is adapted from the novel by Sebastien Japriscot.
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Excellent French Movie
Shane from Kerry, 19 Apr 2007
This is a fantastic movie from renowned director Jean Pierre Jeunet. Its has great themes of romance and the horrors of war. The story line is exceptional and is unlike anything I have seen before. I would definitely recommend renting this one.
7 people out of 7 found this review helpful
Well worth watching
Maggie from Mayo, 28 Jan 2008
A beautiful film. Great contrast between the realistic horror of the trenches and the pastoral beauty of the French farm. Snatches of humour lighten the gravity, even in the war scenes. Great plot, good acting, and I found the subtitles did not detract from my enjoyment. I loved some of the quirky touches. I found this film compelling from start to finish and would highly recommend it. Be prepared for horror in the trenches, but this sets the scene for the rest of the film.
6 people out of 8 found this review helpful
A Very Long Engagement
Caitríona from Wicklow, 07 Mar 2008
Just loved this film. It captures what WW1 was like in the trenches from a French perpective. But it is so much more, a story of tenacity and belief. Also highlights the futility of war.
I also loved the way it was filmed - capturing light and darkness. Lots of lovely steam trains too.
The only thing is because it is ALL IN FRENCH you can only sit down and watch it with the subtitles, there is no point trying to cook a dinner at the same time, or you will miss lots of the plot!
5 people out of 7 found this review helpful
Excellent
Mark from Dublin, 09 Aug 2007
Would defy anyone not to enjoy this movie great story with its intricate sub plots and the human element to a war story that is usually ignored in most war movies. Could not recomment this enough.
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful
An Enchanting Film
Les from Dublin, 02 Oct 2007
This story will captivate the heart of all you incurable romantics out there. Beautifully photography, wonderful acting - you won't even notice that it's subtitled. The lead actress is Audrey Tautou, the lady who broke my heart in "Amélie" - and she does it here again. The period of the first world war is entirely convincing. Is it a happy ending? I think I'll leave that for you to decide!
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful
Brilliant
Sue from Wexford, 16 Feb 2012
Ok it is in french with english subtitles but stick with it. Remember it is a dvd so you can always repeat something if you miss it. The story is gripping with twists and turns. Watch it 2x because you can get lost but it is so worth it. If you had family that died in that war in those trenches you cannot help but be moved as this is an accurate portrayal (apart from the bomb that should be a shell) as you watch men face machine gun fire with nothing more than their coat on and the inadequate footwear at least the germans had proper boots. Then there is the romantic element as lives are torn apart by war. He makes it all feel so real. How would I feel if that was me? This has everything, but english!
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful
Never realised it was in french
ELIzabeth from Kerry, 29 Sep 2010
Never realised it was in french and i find trying to watch and read difficult! having said that i thought it was engaging, romantic and very well made. The romntic in me would have preferred a more complete end but really liked it. Had it of been in english I think it would have been a 10!
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful
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