Lost Illusions

A masterpiece film, but with two minor flaws imo. One two many sex scenes and too much narration.

INNOCENCE LOST TO HIGHEST BIDDER Haldun Armagan Xavier Giannoli's adaptation of Balzac offers a masterfully crafted period piece of Paris in 1820s following the steps of young Lucien who dreams of being a famous writer. As he struggles through artistic merits, class discrimination, sexual awakening and corruption, also he faces the manipulation of art, media and finance. The lost of innocence goes along with story of Lucien (brilliant act by Benjamin Voisin) which puts one's mind so many references to current media world. Winner is the highest bidder whether it happens to be art and entertainment or simple news. Art directing is wonderful so are the main cast. The voiceover narrative in this movie serves as perfect choice. Fake news, fake applause! "Illusion perdues" unfolds many storylines related to past and present, and deserves to be seen again and again.

Superbe, the essence of the human soul is captured.

Unfairly I give this a better review simple because its a period piece. But on top of that it was excellent. Acting, writing, direction all top notch. 2.5 hour movie could have been cut down to 2 hrs so there are some dragging on that happens but overall, one of the better French films to come out in recent years.

The greatest 02 hours: and 29 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderfully produced and superbly acted. It was almost a private screening as only two (separately) of us in the cinema, but unlike so many films which rely on ‘crowd reaction' this engulfs you without need for anyone else's responses. The rise and fall of a dreamer consumed by desire to aspire to artistic brilliance thwarted by the elitist class set to keep such talent in their place. Class system at its worst.

I love a good French film but sometimes they can be boring, even for me, but luckily Lost Illusions will keep your attention from start to finish. The Honoré de Balzac story might have been written from 1837-43 but the themes of selling out and fake news are completely relevant today. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Intelligent, beautifully acted. This is what "cinema" was, and should be. The story is engrossing, and the settings are quite magnificent--when they aren't quite the opposite, when our rake's progress is not progressing so well.

Beautifully filmed French costume drama, but it takes too long, it wasn't that entertaining to justify 150 minutes.