Sarah Bernhardt, The Divine

Sarah Bernhardt, the Divine, is a success, a modern and dazzling portrait of one of the greatest French tragedian.

As surprising as it may seem, no movie has been made about Sarah Bernhardt, one of the first world star (1844-1923). Jean Cocteau invented the term “sacred monster” for her. Far from the chronological biopic, the screenwriter Nathalie Leuthreau centers the story around two important moments: the amputation of her leg in 1915, and a day organized to the glory of this artist in December 1896. She distills information in a light manner throughout the story. Preceding the Actor's Studio, Sarah Bernhardt invents an acting based on emotions. Before Coco Chanel, she banned the corset. She plays men's roles, runs a theater, takes care of costumes and sets.

Director Guillaume Nicloux and the screenwriter wish to show a free, modern woman, a lover who defies morality, conventions and reason. They invent a love story with the actor Lucien Guitry, who was his playing partner for a long time, taking inspiration from the actress other love stories. They also assume some anachronisms, such as the electricity which lights up a theater stage, when Sarah Bernhardt asks for light. Thanks to these freedoms, Guillaume Nicloux makes a modern film about this woman ahead of her time.

Sandrine Kimberlain brilliantly embodies this fanciful, excessive, obstinate, adventurous, daring, excessive star... She is on all levels with great energy. I had doubts about this choice, but I came away from the press screening impressed by her performance. She is surrounded by a solid cast, with actors from French comedy. Laurent Lafitte plays Lucien Guitry, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet and his son Sacha Guitry. Amira Casar plays the painter Louise Abbéma, her lover. Laurent Stocker plays Pitou, his punching bag secretary.

The reconstruction is magnificent, whether in terms of sets, shimmering costumes, makeup and hairstyle. The image is vivid. Classical music is used judiciously: Debussy's famous Clair de Lune, Schubert's Serenade, Ravel, Debussy, Chopin. During the credits, the film shows rare archives revealing the real Sarah Bernhard, who a hundred years after her disappearance still fascinates.

Sarah Bernhardt, the Divine
Directed by Guillaume Nicloux
Produced by François Kraus, Denis Pineau-Valencienne
Written by Nathalie Leuthreau
Starring Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte , Amira Casar , Pauline Etienne
Music by Reynaldo Hahn
Cinematography : Yves Cape
Edited by Guy Lecorne, Karine Prido
Production companies : Les Films du Kiosque, TF1 Films Production, UMedia, Fils Prod
Distributed by Memento Distribution (France)
Release date : December 18, 2024 (France)
Running time : 98 minutes

Seen December 5, 2024 at Club 13

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