
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
dir. Céline Sciamma
90
8 sourcesSynopsis
On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.
Critics consensus
A singularly rich period piece, Portrait of a Lady on Fire finds stirring, thought-provoking drama within a powerfully acted romance.
What resonated with audiences
'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' is a visually stunning masterpiece with painterly cinematography and exceptional artistic vision. The lead performances deliver electric chemistry in a compelling forbidden romance. However, the deliberately slow pacing proves divisive, with some finding it mesmerizing while others describe it as stagnant and dull. The writing receives mixed reactions, ranging from poetic brilliance to implausible dialogue. This refined period drama rewards patient viewers seeking cinematic artistry.

Directed byCéline Sciamma
StarringNoémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami, Valeria Golino, Christel Baras, Armande Boulanger
Written byCéline Sciamma
CinematographyClaire Mathon
EditingJulien Lacheray
MusicPara One
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
2019 · R · 2h 1m
Drama, Romance
On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.
