Madame de Sévigné

Original title:	Madame de Sévigné
Director:	Isabelle Brocard
Release:	Vod
Running time:	92 minutes
Release date:	Not communicated
Rating:

In the mid-17th century, the Marquise de Sévigné wanted to make her daughter a brilliant, independent woman in her own image. But the more she tries to control the young woman's destiny, the more she rebels. Mother and daughter experience the torments of a devastatingly fused relationship. From this devastation, a major work of French literature is born.

Sabine's Review

Moving away from the classic biopic, director Isabelle Brocard focuses her film on the relationship between Madame de Sévigné and her daughter. She traces the evolution of a fusional bond, which gradually becomes toxic. The promise is interesting and kept. Based on the letters of Madame de Sévigné, the director addresses themes such as the condition of women, emancipation, the consent of women in the 17th century which resonates with today.

All the actors and actresses have been cast and directed in order to breathe modernity into their characters. The mother-daughter tandem works, thanks to the talents of Karine Viard and Ana Girardot. However, the script does not allow Karine Viard to recreate all the vivacity of Madame de Sévigné, even though this actress has the energy to embody her. This letter writer has a funny and lively style. His descriptions of the society of the time are piquant. This aspect has been too erased in favor of letters on the mother-daughter relationship.

The reconstruction is impeccable both in terms of costumes and sets, reflecting the know-how of the French technical teams. The filming took place in the places where the Countess of Sévigné lived, such as the Château de Grignan in the Drôme. The director integrated letters that speak of landscapes, trees, and Madame de Sévigné's relationship with Nature. Georges Lechaptois' photography is inspired by the paintings of Nicolas Poussin. The film is bathed in warm light and chiaroscuro.

This film allows an interesting approach to the work of this pioneer of feminism, who became a writer in spite of herself. However, its narration remains academic and smooth, despite a very successful start.

Madame de Sévigné
Directed by Isabelle Brocard
Produced by Michael Gentile
Directly inspired by Letters of Madame de Sévigné
Written by Isabelle Brocard et Yves Thomas
With Karin Viard, Ana Girardot, Cédric Kahn, Noémie Lvosvky, Robin Renucci
Music : Florencia Di Concilio
Director of photography : Georges Lechaptois
Art Design and Costumes Anaïs Romand
Art Director : Laurent Ott
Editing : Camille Delprat et Géraldine Mangenot
Production companies : The Film, Arturo Mio
Distributed by Ad Vitam (France)
Release Date : February 28, 2024 (France)
Running Time : 92 minutes

Seen February 13, 2024 at Silencio des Prés, Paris

Sabine's Mark: