Ismael's Ghosts

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Ismael's Ghosts

R

2017

1h 54m

Drama

Romance

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50%

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78 Reviews

28%

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100+ Ratings

Twenty-one years ago, she ran away -- and 21 years later, Carlotta is back from the void. But Ismael has been busy rebuilding a life for himself with Sylvia and working on his next movie. As Ismael's trials and tribulations unfurl, so too do those of his film's protagonist -- the idle, funny and reckless diplomat Ivan Dédalus.

Critics Consensus

Ismael's Ghosts unites an excellent cast -- and their valiant efforts are often enough to counter its somewhat confused and disjointed story.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Unfortunately all the metafictional layering only highlights the lack of engagement at the center of the story, the three stars acting up a storm but barely acknowledging each other.

Apr 17, 2020

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Marion Cotillard and Charlotte Gainsbourg momentarily bring verve to proceedings.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 9, 2018

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Decked out in the classy colours of the high-end French art film, Ismael's Ghosts is probably easier to enjoy if you make no attempt to fit its disjointed units together.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2018

Full Review

Andrew Gaudion

THN

The film, like Ismael, cannot escape its own self-indulgent tendencies, leading to an experience that never coalesces into something that feels all that insightful, despite some fine acting and moments of wit and mystery.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 30, 2020

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Matt Cipolla

Film Monthly

Ismael's Ghosts is several movies each with their own merits, but that doesn't mean that they coexist amicably.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 23, 2020

Full Review

Dustin Chang

ScreenAnarchy

Deliciously self-reflexive and touching, Ismael's Ghosts is another great testament of Desplechin's unique talent as a film enthusiast and a great writer.

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

In interesting examination of a mental unraveling by the leads; almost a throwback to previous era of films as realism is not the primary concern

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

From the spy thriller to the love triangle, from the existential drama in the best traditions of French cinema to the farce comedy - this appears before us a new Desplechin. Think i have to watch one more time using boxxy software to understand what it was :D

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Unwatchable - avoid by all means!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tasteless compendium of corny melodramatic tricks

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I did my best to stay but left after an hour. There were several stories going on and it was very slow and disconnected. 2/10 at best.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Arnaud Desplechin

Director

Mathieu Amalric

Ismaël Vuillard

Marion Cotillard

Carlotta Bloom

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Sylvia

Louis Garrel

Ivan Dedalus

Alba Rohrwacher

Arielle

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Ismael's Ghost: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Twenty-one years ago, she ran away -- and 21 years later, Carlotta is back from the void. But Ismael has been busy rebuilding a life for himself with Sylvia and working on his next movie. As Ismael's trials and tribulations unfurl, so too do those of his film's protagonist -- the idle, funny and reckless diplomat Ivan Dédalus.

Director: Arnaud Desplechin
Producer: Pascal Caucheteux
Screenwriter: Arnaud Desplechin, Léa Mysius, Julie Peyr
Production Co: Why Not Productions
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language|Brief Strong Violence|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 3, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $102.3K
Runtime: 1h 54m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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