A Very Long Engagement- Storyline and Short Review

A Very Long Engagement is a 2004 French-German war drama film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Audrey Tautou, Lambert Wilson, Niels Arestrup, and Jean-Pierre Darroussin. It is loosely based on the 1871 Franco-Prussian War novel La Fiancée du colonel de Saint Remy by Émile Zola.

The story of a young woman’s engagement to the son of her father’s business partner and his wife is told in the film A Very Long Engagement. This movie is set in France during World War I. The time period also features another central theme: human resilience.

In this article, we have tried to show you the storyline and short review of this beautiful movie. So if you haven’t seen it yet, then do not waste any more time and check out our article below.

Genre: War/Romance

Runtime: 2h 13m

Release Year: 2004

IMDB Rating: 7.6

Rotten Tomatoes: 78%

Box Office: 69.4 million USD

The Storyline of A Very Long Engagement 2004

The movie tells the story of a young French woman named Mireille who is getting engaged to the son of her father’s business partner, Jef. Jef’s wife has died recently, leaving him with two young children.

Jef does not want to get married and therefore tries everything he can to avoid marrying Mireille, but she is very determined. In addition, there are many other obstacles in their way that seem insurmountable at first glance. Nevertheless, Mireille and Jef persevere through all of these difficulties and eventually are able to marry.

The film is directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and stars Audrey Tautou, Lambert Wilson, Niels Arestrup, Jean-Pierre Darroussin. It was released in 2004. La Fiancée du colonel de Saint Remy, an intense love story set during World War I, is a masterpiece by Émile Zola.

The film follows the romance of Romy Schneider and John Milton Rayburn as they are both pulled into the conflict in different ways. Rayburn leaves to fight in France while Romy falls ill and must undergo surgery. She meets Kurt Baruch, an officer in the German army who helps her recover; they become close friends and eventually fall in love.

When war breaks out, Baruch is forced to flee Europe and leave Romy behind. Rayburn eventually finds out about the relationship and is angry with Romy for choosing Baruch over him. However, they eventually reconcile and are able to spend Christmas together in 1938 after the war has ended.

La Fiancée du colonel de Saint Remy is a deeply emotional and passionate movie that highlights the power of love during wartime. The story is told in alternating periods between 1914 and 1938, which allows the viewer to see the characters’ interactions from multiple perspectives. The film’s intense emotional content makes it a favorite among moviegoers.

Short Review of A Very Long Engagement 2004

If you’re looking for a heart-wrenching, moviegoing experience then look no further than Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s A Very Long Engagement. This film tells the story of two young people who must overcome immense obstacles in order to be together. Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson do an excellent job portraying Mireille and Jef, respectively.

The visual elements of this film are top-notch as well; making it difficult not to get emotionally involved in what is happening on-screen. Although this movie may not be for everyone, it is certainly worth watching.

A Very Long Engagement tells the story of Romy Schneider (Audrey Tautou), a French woman in her twenties who is engaged to marry an American soldier, John Milton Rayburn (Lambert Wilson). The planned wedding is shortly before the start of World War I.

When war breaks out, Rayburn is called to fight and leaves for France. While he’s away, Romy falls ill and has to undergo surgery. She meets a German officer, Kurt Baruch (Niels Arestrup), during her recovery and they begin a passionate affair. Knowing that she won’t be able to see Rayburn again, Romy decides to marry Baruch.

The movie’s focus shifts back and forth between the present day and 1914. In 1914, as the war spread across Europe, Rayburn is besieged in Verdun. After several months of fighting, he’s finally freed by his compatriots and returns home to find that Romy has married Baruch.

He believes her decision was motivated by fear for his safety rather than love for him, but they eventually reconcile anyway. The film ends with them watching a fireworks display together on Christmas Eve 1938, a year after the war has ended.

A Very Long Engagement is an emotionally charged film that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. The acting by Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson is excellent, and the visual elements are stunning. If you’re looking for a movie that will touch your heart, then A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching.

Popular Review of A Very Long Engagement

A Very Long Engagement is a beautiful, emotional movie that will stay with you long after the credits have finished.

Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson give outstanding performances as Romy Schneider and John Milton Rayburn, respectively. The film switches back and forth between 1914 (just before World War I began) and 1938 (a year after the war ended), providing an interesting timeline for viewers to follow.

The critics seem to agree, with countless reviews raving about the film’s stunning visuals and heart-wrenching story. Whether you’re a fan of historical dramas or simply looking for an excellent movie experience, A Very Long Engagement is well worth your time.

A Very Long Engagement is a beautiful and emotionally charged film that will stay with you long after the credits have finished. The acting by Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson is excellent, and the visual elements are stunning.

If you’re looking for a movie that will touch your heart, then A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching.

The visuals are quite stunning, making this a great movie to watch on an evening when you want to let your mind wander. Overall, A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching!

Critics Review of a Very Long Engagement

A very long engagement is a visually stunning, emotional drama that tells the story of two people who fall in love during World War I and face obstacles to their relationship through both world wars.

Audrey Tautou gives an outstanding performance as Romy Schneider, a woman who loves passionately but is constantly put down by society. Ther are some popular critic’s reviews on this movie which is as follows:

The Guardian

“A Very Long Engagement is a stunning visual achievement that will take your breath away. It’s also convincingly heart-wrenching, with Tautou and Wilson giving excellent performances.”

The Independent

“With its sumptuous visuals and stirring story, A Very Long Engagement is an unforgettable film experience that’s sure to touch viewers on many levels.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson give powerful, moving performances in A Very Long Engagement … What elevates this bittersweet drama above the average Hollywood romance is its unsentimental view of World War I. The picture reflects what life was like on both sides of the conflict with uncanny accuracy.”

Los Angeles Times

“Tautou and Wilson are superb in A Very Long Engagement, a wistful but also heart-wrenching drama about love during World War I. In her Oscar-nominated performance, Tautou imbues Schneider with a vulnerability and fragility that touch the soul.”

USA Today

A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching! The visuals are quite stunning, making this a great movie to watch on an evening when you want to let your mind wander.

The film switches back and forth between 1914 (just before World War I began) and 1938 (a year after the war ended), giving the viewer a very comprehensive view of both wars.

The visual elements are absolutely stunning, and the story is emotional and compelling. Overall, A Very Long Engagement is an outstanding film that is well worth watching.

The Performance of the cast and crew

All the performance of the actors is superb, especially Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson who give excellent performances. They both portray their characters convincingly and make them easy to sympathize with. The cinematography is also Top Notch, as the visuals are stunningly beautiful and eye-catching.

The Setting As mentioned, the setting of A Very Long Engagement is World War I. This means that the movie has a lot to say about the war itself and its horrific effects on both sides.

It also provides an excellent perspective on what life was like for people during this time period. Thematic elements such as love, loss, and tragedy are explored in-depth, making this film moving and heartfelt.

All in all, A Very Long Engagement is an outstanding movie that is well worth watching! The performances by the cast and crew are top-notch, as are the visuals. The setting is particularly impressive, and the movie provides a fascinating perspective on World War I.

So if you’re looking for a movie that will richly explore the themes of love, loss, and tragedy, A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching!

Why Is the Movie- a Very Long Engagement So Famous?

Audrey Tautou and Lambert Wilson’s amazing performances are a major factor in the movie’s popularity. They convincingly portray their characters and make them easy to sympathize with, which makes the viewer feel deeply engaged in the story. The cinematography is also excellent, as the visuals are stunningly beautiful and eye-catching.

The setting of the movie, World War I, is also a major contributor to its fame. This period in history is very relevant to today’s world and provides an excellent perspective on what life was like during this time period. Thematic elements such as love, loss, and tragedy are explored in-depth which makes the movie moving and heartfelt.

World War I provides an excellent perspective on what life was like at this time, and thematic elements such as love, loss, and tragedy are explored in depth. This makes A Very Long Engagement moving and heartfelt.

Additionally, A Very Long Engagement has a lot to say about World War I. It provides an excellent perspective on what life was like for people during this time period, as well as explores themes such as love, loss, and tragedy in depth. This makes the movie moving and heartfelt, capturing the viewer’s attention from start to finish.

Why you Should Watch the Movie- A Very Long Engagement

If you’re looking for a movie that will richly explore the themes of love, loss, and tragedy, A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching! The performances are amazing and make the viewer feel deeply engaged in the story.

Additionally, the settings and historical perspective are both perfect additions to this gripping story. The setting of World War I is also a major contributor to its fame and provides an excellent perspective on what life was like during this time period.

Thematic elements such as love, loss, and tragedy are explored in-depth which makes the movie moving and heartfelt. Additionally, A Very Long Engagement has a lot to say about World War I which makes it relevant and interesting.

If you’re interested in history or want to learn more about World War I, A Very Long Engagement is definitely a movie worth watching!

Awards Won by A Very Long Engagement

You can never judge a movie by the number of its award-winnings. Despite being a marvelous movie A Very long Engagement has not gotten a lot of awards. But A Very Long Engagement won the César Award for Best Foreign Film in 2009.

Conclusion

A Very Long Engagement is an excellent movie that provides a very insightful perspective on World War I. The themes of love, loss, and tragedy are explored in-depth, making the movie moving and heartfelt.

Additionally, the historical perspective provided by World War I is perfect for this story. If you’re interested in history or want to learn more about World War I, A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching!

In this article, we have tried to represent the storyline and short review of the movie- A Very Long Engagement. So if you want to know more about this movie before or after watching this hen this article is a must-read item for you.

FAQs

1.What Is the Plot of a Very Long Engagement?

Ans: The story follows two people, a young American woman and an older French man, who become engaged to be married in 1914 but are separated before the war breaks out. They write letters to each other during the conflict, and their grandson reads them years later.

2.Is a Very Long Engagement Based on a True Story?

Ans: No, the movie is not based on a true story. However, the plot is based on the true story of a French soldier, Georges Legrand, and an American nurse, Edith Cavell. But the movie has been heavily modified to include fictional elements.

3.What Is the Historical Significance of a Very Long Engagement?

Ans: A Very Long Engagement has been praised for its accurate portrayal of World War I and its themes of love, loss, and tragedy. And it has been cited as an excellent example of how to make a historical film that is both entertaining and educational. So if you’re interested in history or want to learn more about World War I, A Very Long Engagement is definitely worth watching!