Les enfants du siècle (The Children of the Century) (1999)
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43% of critics liked it
(42 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(1,027 ratings)
While pioneering pre-feminist author George Sand has been the subject of several film biographies focusing on her ten year relationship with Frederick Chopin, Les enfants du siècle looks at an earlier period in Sand's life, in particular her stormy romance with poet Alfred de Musset. In the… More While pioneering pre-feminist author George Sand has been the subject of several film biographies focusing on her ten year relationship with Frederick Chopin, Les enfants du siècle looks at an earlier period in Sand's life, in particular her stormy romance with poet Alfred de Musset. In the early 1830's, Baroness Dudevant (Juliette Binoche) has abandoned her husband and arrives in Paris with her children in tow as rioting divides the city. The Baroness decides to reinvent herself and pursue a career as a writer; she renames herself George Sand, begins wearing clothes modeled after men's suits, and smokes cigarettes while penning manifestos denouncing marriage and affirming a woman's right to sexual satisfaction. Alfred de Musset (Benoit Magimel), a noted author, finds her brash nature fascinating, and they become first friends, then lovers as he helps her craft her literary efforts. However, Sand is six years older than de Musset, which leads to a severe conflict with his family; the couple heads to Venice in search of escape and inspiration, but Alfred decides that he prefers the city's brothels to George's company and that they should keep separate rooms from now on. George makes the acquaintance of an Italian doctor, Pagello (Stefano Dionisi), with whom she has a passionate affair; the realization that he's driven her into the arms of another man proves too much for Alfred, who returns to France. Eventually, George leaves Pagello and gives Alfred another chance, a decision she comes to regret. Les Enfants du Siecle had its world premiere at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Diane Kurys
- Written By
- Francois-Olivier Rousseau, Murray Head, Diane Kurys
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1999 Wide
- Studio
- Empire Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Marta Barber, Miami Herald
In between all the emotional seesawing, it's hard to figure the depth of these two literary figures, and even the times in which they lived. But they fascinate in their recklessness.
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Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
The emotion is impressively true for being so hot-blooded, and both leads are up to the task.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The film's appeal has a lot to do with the casting of Juliette Binoche as Sand, who brings to the role her pale, dark beauty and characteristic warmth.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Plays like a volatile and overlong W magazine fashion spread.
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
It's technically sumptuous but also almost wildly alive.
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Cast
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Juliette Binoche
as George Sand
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Benoît Magimel
as Alfred de Musset
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Stefano Dionisi
as Pagello
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Robin Renucci
as Buloz
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Karin Viard
as Marie Dorval
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Isabelle Carré
as Aimee d'Alton
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Arnaud Giovaninetti
as Tattet
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Denis Podalydès
as Sainte-Beuve
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Olivier Foubert
as Paul
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Marie-France Mignal
as Mme de Musset
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Victoire Thivisol
as Solange
