Synopsis
In late nineteenth century Charante, Protestant minister Jean Barnery causes local disquiet when he arranges a separation from his obsessive wife. He and his lover keep their love strong as the world changes around them.
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Cast
- Emmanuelle BéartPauline Pommerel
- Charles BerlingJean Barnery
- Isabelle HuppertNathalie Barnery
- Olivier PerrierPhilippe Pommerel
- Dominique ReymondJulie Desca
- André MarconPaul Desca
- Alexandra LondonLouise Desca
- Julie DepardieuMarcelle
- Louis-Do de LencquesaingArthur Pommerel
- Mia Hansen-LøveAline
Recommendations
- 100
Los Angeles Times
Assayas has made a great film from Jacques Chardonne's classic novel. Although far different in tone, time, place and temperament, it brings to mind "Gone With the Wind" in its depth and scope and in its love story, which unfolds over a turbulent era. - 91
Portland Oregonian
Rich in detail, gorgeously shot and beautifully acted, Les Destinees is, in its quiet, epic way, daring, inventive and refreshingly unusual. - 90
L.A. Weekly
An exquisite metaphor for the high cost and higher returns of an enduring marriage. - 90
Variety
A massive undertaking and an accomplished piece of filmmaking in a solid tradition of intelligent, meticulous literary adaptations. - 90
The New Yorker
Quiety sumptuous movie. [15 April 2002, p. 98] - 88
Chicago Sun-Times
It will not appeal to the impatient, but those who like long books and movies will admire the way it accumulates power and depth. It is about youthful idealism, headstrong love and fierce ambition, and is pessimistic about all of them. - 67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
But the irony of Les Destinées is that while Assayas is a pro at examining the inner workings of present-day connection and nuance, he's so overwhelmed by the sheer historical scope and detail of this massive saga that after three hours we're starved for emotional involvement with such inaccessible characters. - 60
Washington Post
How great can an epic be, when it takes 30 years, including a whole sequence devoted to World War I, for Jean to realize he could be a little nicer to his wife? This is for diehard Francophiles and literate-movie fans only.
