SMART these days is the actress who can speak French, as sadly it's one of the few ways to guarantee decent parts past the age of 40. Case in point?
Kristin Scott Thomas, who follows up her supporting turn in last year's excellent Tell No One with
a rich, complex turn in I've Loved You So Long.
As Juliette, an ex-con released from prison after a 15-year-stretch, she gives a beautifully measured performance, effortlessly conveying the haunted disposition of someone who has spent years privately contemplating the soul-wrecking nature of her crime.
This has made her frosty to others, but her rehabilitation begins when she goes to stay with her younger sister Léa (Elsa Zylberstein) – the only member of her family not to disown her. Léa's husband is less than thrilled, but her daughters are fascinated with their new auntie and their inquisitiveness forces Juliette to begin the painful process of rebuilding her life in a judgmental society. Debut director Philippe Claudel is smart enough to let his actors drive the film, but his slow release of information backfires: astute viewers will be well ahead of the game by the time the big revelation occurs, which robs it of some of its power.
The full article contains 234 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
