The Story of Adele H

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The Story of Adele H

PG

Released Oct 8, 1975

1h 37m

Drama

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93%

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29 Reviews

80%

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2,500+ Ratings

Adèle Hugo (Isabelle Adjani), daughter of renowned French writer Victor Hugo, falls in love with British soldier Albert Pinson (Bruce Robinson) while living in exile off the coast of England. Though he spurns her affections, she follows him to Nova Scotia and takes on the alias of Adèle Lewly. Albert continues to reject her, but she remains obsessive in her quest to win him over. When Albert is stationed in the West Indies, Adèle once again trails him, furthering her downward spiral.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

It's deeply, disarmingly funny -- which Truffaut has never been before. This picture is so totally concentrated on one character that its a phenomenon.

Oct 19, 2023

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Molly Haskell

Village Voice

... a remarkable love story...

Jan 23, 2018

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Phil Hardy

Time Out

The film is a disaster because, in place of the self-conscious reflection of her predicament conveyed by Adèle's journal (on which the film is based), Truffaut opts for the Hollywood formula of hapless unrequited love.

Feb 9, 2006

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Jeff Simon

Buffalo News

When Truffaut tries to sympathize, he isn't very good. Here, he doesn't really try. He says nothing more than 'madness is very strange, is it not?' It is. That's why The Story of Adele H. is one of his best films.

Feb 25, 2025

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...well-upholstered, thoughtfully told…Adele H is a striking, sympathetic heroine who rails against ‘the swindle of identity’; her narrative has a resonance at a time when women are told to shut up and let men make their decisions for them, like it or not

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2024

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Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

The film moves with a special grace and beauty that only Truffaut can achieve. But the story is told too well... Romantic as I am, The Story of Adele H. was too much for me to take.

May 9, 2023

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Alec B

Adjani gives a great performance, as you are sort of disarmed by her at the beginning not realizing that she's barely hiding serious mental illness. I also liked how the other characters ignore her individuality (once people realize she's Victor Hugo's daughter that is all they see) which is why no one realizes she has serious problems before it gets out of hand.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Isaiah Y

Isabelle Adjani’s greatest performance

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

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Kellie G

What looks like a silly obsession is actually mental illness. It becomes more tragic as it unfolds. Isabelle Adjani gives one of the top tier performances among best actress nominations. She is actually even more impressive as Adele’s condition deteriorates . Good costumes and set designs aside it’s Adjani’s performance to watch for but not a film I cared about enough. Still it’s worth a one time watch for the central performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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rohit m

This movie is big let down for me , there was no acting at all by the actress all she was doing in this whole movie was showing off how much pretty face she has , she manipulated people very well , no emotions at all just showing of how much pretty eyes she has . worst acting by isabelle adjani director should have focused on her acting plot was good accept actress ...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/12/23

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Audience Member

I saw this at its US debut at Lincoln Center. Adjani was new and took me and the audience into a soul full of passion. Brilliant. How she lived the suffering

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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steve d

Powerful and really well acted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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François Truffaut

Director

Isabelle Adjani

Adèle Hugo

Bruce Robinson

Lt Albert Pinson

Sylvia Marriott

Mrs. Saunders

Reuben Dorey

Mr. Saunders

Joseph Blatchley

Mr. Whistler

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Synopsis

Adèle Hugo (Isabelle Adjani), daughter of renowned French writer Victor Hugo, falls in love with British soldier Albert Pinson (Bruce Robinson) while living in exile off the coast of England. Though he spurns her affections, she follows him to Nova Scotia and takes on the alias of Adèle Lewly. Albert continues to reject her, but she remains obsessive in her quest to win him over. When Albert is stationed in the West Indies, Adèle once again trails him, furthering her downward spiral.

Director: François Truffaut
Producer: Marcel Berbert
Distributor: Hemdale Film Distribution
Production Co: Les Producteurs Associés
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 1975, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 37m

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