Pauline Etienne really makes the movie in this big screen adaptation of Denis Diderot's novel from the 18th century. In 1966, this was already done starring Anna Karina and judging from the rating, it turned out pretty good as well. I'd be surprised if she was better than Etienne though. Etienne was around 23 when the film was shot and it's impressive how she, despite her young age, creates a character and story that never bores the audience for a movie that is not too far away from the two-hour mark. We get to watch Susanne Simonin's struggles as she is pressured by peers and family to become a nun. Initially, she refuses to take her vow and when the moment comes, she says that she will not lead a life without giving in to temptation. Shortly afterward, her mother confesses to her that her real father is not who Susanne thought he was. The mother describes it as her only sin and wants the result of this sinful act, Susanne, become a nun and serve nobody but God to make up for her darkest hour. Susanne agrees and lives in a monastery from that day on. Her doubts, however, won't disappear and she realizes quickly that this may not be the right path for her. We witness her fight to leave the Church, which was almost an impossible endeavor back in the 18th century for a young woman after she took a vow. We suffer with her when her confidante dies, her only true friend has to stop seeing her, her new matron turns her life into living hell, another matron uses Susanne to fight her own demons. And of course on her path to freedom and on her search for her real father.
I applaud Etienne for her portrayal here. It's one of the best female performances I've seen from 2013 so far. Physically she looks like a mix of Carey Mulligan and the young Elisabeth Moss and acting-wise she can compete with these two, probably among the most talented of their age groups, as well. There's not too many films about life in monasteries and, of course, "Doubt" is a very famous one. If you liked this one, chances are good, you'll enjoy "La religieuse" as well. It moves very slowly and is rather bleak most of the time, but the lead actress really makes it worth a watch and the way she held her own against established actresses like Martina Gedeck or Isabelle Huppert was quite impressive and I'm positive we will see a lot more from her in the future, maybe also the jump across the Big Pond.
I applaud Etienne for her portrayal here. It's one of the best female performances I've seen from 2013 so far. Physically she looks like a mix of Carey Mulligan and the young Elisabeth Moss and acting-wise she can compete with these two, probably among the most talented of their age groups, as well. There's not too many films about life in monasteries and, of course, "Doubt" is a very famous one. If you liked this one, chances are good, you'll enjoy "La religieuse" as well. It moves very slowly and is rather bleak most of the time, but the lead actress really makes it worth a watch and the way she held her own against established actresses like Martina Gedeck or Isabelle Huppert was quite impressive and I'm positive we will see a lot more from her in the future, maybe also the jump across the Big Pond.