' Adolphe ' is one of the greatest works in world literature. Like it or dislike it this film is utterly faithful to the book, and difficult though the book must have been for many to film Benoit Jacquot achieves the challenge 100%. Both Isabelle Adjani and Stanislas Merhar are perfect in their roles of Adolphe and Ellenore , both having that interior quality that is needed. To tell the story of the book is open to misinterpretation, and I suggest those who have tried here cannot succeed. It is about love, but not in a way that is either romantic or easy to describe. It dissects love and what meanings we impose upon that humble four lettered word. For both of these ' lovers ' it is ecstasy and torment. Society reinforces definite meanings on the word when arguably there are far too many to fulfill society's definitions. Constant is as great as Proust in pursuing these themes ( Constant in a short book, Proust in one of the longest in literature ). We ' love ' when we pursue, and cease to ' love ' when it is reciprocated; equally we hate to be too close to another and yet feel deserted when we are alone. Both actors hold, release and hold again until death draws the final card and a possible lifelong journey of solitary anguish begins. It is all there in this superbly made film. Each image is sublime in its beauty, and passion between Adjani and Merhar are both burning hot, then as cold as the end of the film, snow covered and terminal in its despair. Ellenore's last letter ends it all, completely faithful to the book. Two scenes encapsulate the film. The first is when Adolphe and Ellenore consummate their desire for each other. Nothing is crude, and the passion between them is the determined way Adolphe's tongue opens and penetrates Ellenore's mouth. It is erotic and nothing more is needed. The second is on a balcony when Adolphe shouts at Ellenore and abuses her verbally, and the acting is especially fine here. Nothing more is needed to show the vast distance between them, and again the same tongue is put to a more bitter use. I cherish this film, and am shocked at how hard it is to obtain. The US has ignored it, and so has the UK, and shame on both countries for doing so, and shame on the independent DVD companies who turned their back on a great, great film.
Review of Adolphe
