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Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Play trailer 2:15 Poster for Portrait of a Lady on Fire R Released Dec 6, 2019 2h 1m History Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 338 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 250+ Verified Ratings
In 1770 the young daughter of a French countess develops a mutual attraction to the female artist commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.
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Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

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Critics Consensus

A singularly rich period piece, Portrait of a Lady on Fire finds stirring, thought-provoking drama within a powerfully acted romance.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Thompson Chicago Reader Things kick off simply, if not innocently, in Céline Sciamma’s masterful period film. Jun 21, 2023 Full Review Drew Gregory Autostraddle Once in a while there is a work of art so specific, so complex, so new in its oldness and old in its newness, that it moves the craft, our craft, to another level of seeing. Sep 10, 2021 Full Review Leah Greenblatt Entertainment Weekly There's almost no single moment in Portrait of a Lady on Fire that couldn't be captured, mounted, and hung on a wall as high art. Rated: A- Jan 22, 2021 Full Review Calum Baker Radio Times With elements of the surreal and supernatural dotted in among the erotic, the film's panoply of extraordinary images adds up to a haunting melancholic masterclass. Rated: 5/5 Aug 30, 2024 Full Review Bianca Garner InSession Film Claire Mathon’s stunning cinematography is achingly beautiful to gaze upon. Each frame is worthy of being hung in an art gallery, and each shot conveys so much meaning. Rated: A Jul 31, 2024 Full Review Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) They say memory is the poet’s choice of love. After watching this masterpiece, I suspect that the present moment is the artist’s choice of love. Rated: 5/5 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (98) audience reviews
Saul F Slow moving - boring Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/15/20 Full Review Peter B A gorgeous period piece, this film lacks nothing in direction, acting, and camera work. I was charmed by the characters, the stern landscapes, and the lighting in this movie. It’s a must-see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/12/20 Full Review Aurolyn Too long. Could have cut 30. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/20 Full Review Tristan An absolutely amazing story of women. We need more incredible queer film like this. An emotional rollercoaster of love, joy, and the lack there of. Just brilliant! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/11/20 Full Review Emilio A beautifully shot film. Terrific acting from the 2 main characters. Slow at certain points, but overall a fine film Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/10/20 Full Review Robert F Beautiful, touching. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/20 Full Review Read all reviews
Portrait of a Lady on Fire

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1770 the young daughter of a French countess develops a mutual attraction to the female artist commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.
Director
Céline Sciamma
Producer
Bénédicte Couvreur, Véronique Cayla
Screenwriter
Céline Sciamma
Distributor
Neon
Production Co
Lilies Films, Hold Up Films, arte France Cinéma
Rating
R (Some Nudity and Sexuality)
Genre
History, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 6, 2019, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 14, 2020
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 3, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.8M
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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