The Widow of Saint-Pierre (The Widow of St. Pierre) (La veuve de Saint-Pierre) (2000)

88% of critics liked it
(76 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(3,112 ratings)

Long-established director Emir Kusturica makes his acting debut in Patrice Leconte's 19th century tale of a loyal, strong-willed woman who follows her soldier husband to a desolate French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. Madame La (Juliette Binoche) lives in marital bliss on the island of… More Long-established director Emir Kusturica makes his acting debut in Patrice Leconte's 19th century tale of a loyal, strong-willed woman who follows her soldier husband to a desolate French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. Madame La (Juliette Binoche) lives in marital bliss on the island of Saint-Pierre with her loving, oddball husband (Daniel Auteuil), simply called "the Captain" by his charges. Their world is upset one night, however, when two visiting sailors on a bender murder a local citizen. Neel (Kusturica) is sentenced to death, but the other one dies in a carriage accident before reaching prison. As the island waits for a guillotine (or "widow") to be shipped from the French government, Madame La does her best to convince the townspeople that Neel is genuinely good of heart and doesn't deserve a bloody fate. La Veuve de Saint-Pierre marks the second time that Auteuil has worked with director Leconte: their first effort, La Fille Sur la Pont, earned him a Best Actor award at the Cesars, France's equivalent to the Academy Awards. La Veuve screened at the 2000 Cannes and Toronto film festivals. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Patrice Leconte
Written By: Claude Faraldo
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 21, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Sep 18, 2001
Studio: Lions Gate Releasing

Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Serene and haunting.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
A work of art that immerses you in a time and place so completely that it could be a documentary.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Sad and beautiful.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
A compelling French Canadian drama.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
The film seems to be saying, though, that the taking of a life -- whether by murderers or by the state -- is only possible when we refuse to recognize the humanity in others. And this is a message we all need to hear.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Issues of life and death, love and friendship play out delicately and powerfully.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
Few films have set up the contrast between the cruel machinery of human justice and the piercing glory of Christian mercy more starkly and profoundly.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Protagonizando uma história emocionalmente complexa, Binoche, Auteuil e Kusturica conferem peso dramático aos seus personagens, apesar da direção distante de Leconte impedir que o espectador se envolva intensamente com a trama.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
When it comes right down to it, Leconte understands that Binoche's face tells all the story we need.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a tale about wishy-washy humanitarianism.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Solid
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Leconte is an expert at his craft and, with his fine cast and crew, continues to please.
Dan Lybarger, Lawrence Journal-World
Leconte again manages to be one of the filmmakers of any nationality who can create convincing romantic attachments.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
While the outcome of the story may be telegraphed, director Patrice Leconte ("Girl on the Bridge") shrouds his film in many layers of mystery.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

An affirmation of the complexity of women. Here, a guard captain's wife campaigns for the life of a condemned man, knowing that her actions threaten her husband's career and possibly endanger his life. Perplexing behavior indeed but director Patrice Leconte uses it to full… More
An affirmation of the complexity of women. Here, a guard captain's wife campaigns for the life of a condemned man, knowing that her actions threaten her husband's career and possibly endanger his life. Perplexing behavior indeed but director Patrice Leconte uses it to full effect, adding humanistic elements to what otherwise could have been a listless period piece. An intelligent, insightful film.
Lafe F

Such a sad and hopeless movie. People weren't very nice back in 1849! Hopefully the Widow can find a love in her life again. I was dissapointed Louis didn't live very long.
Mark A

A dark, passionate tale of a woman who sets out to redeem a convicted murderer. She succeeds, but at what cost to herself, to the convict himself, and to the colony of St. Pierre? Juliette Binoche is, as usual, radiantly beautiful, compassionate, and firey as the Madame La. Daniel… More
A dark, passionate tale of a woman who sets out to redeem a convicted murderer. She succeeds, but at what cost to herself, to the convict himself, and to the colony of St. Pierre? Juliette Binoche is, as usual, radiantly beautiful, compassionate, and firey as the Madame La. Daniel Autiuel plays her husband, La Capitain, as a principled man who throws caution to the wind because of his love for her. A bleak, cold landscape, properly pompous civil authorities, and the squalor of life in a far outpost of the French Republic all gave the film an authentic feel. This viewer hoped for goodness to win out, but expected tragedy, and was not disappointed. Always four stars for Ms Binoche!
Daisy M

Neel Auguste ( Kusturica) is condemn to death for a murder on the little island of Saint-Pierre, which was, a territory of France. The guillotine( Veuve) is the instrument of death in France at that time. But the island doesn't have its "Veuve" and one is to be sent… More
Neel Auguste ( Kusturica) is condemn to death for a murder on the little island of Saint-Pierre, which was, a territory of France. The guillotine( Veuve) is the instrument of death in France at that time. But the island doesn't have its "Veuve" and one is to be sent from Martinique. In the waiting, the convict is kept in prison at the captain's ( Daniel Auteuil) residence. The captain's wife (Binoche) is convinced that the murderer deserves a second chance and she's working towards that goal. All the performances did a great job, especially Juliette Binoche and Emir Kusturica. Their chemistry is shown so real and keeps the viewer hooked to see what will finally happen.

Cast

Juliette Binoche
as Madame La
Daniel Auteuil
as Le Capitaine
Emir Kusturica
as Neel

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The Widow of Saint-Pierre (The Widow of St. Pierre) (La veuve de Saint-Pierre) (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Lafe F

Mark A

Daisy M

Cast

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