Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Like any aspiring filmmaker I spend a lot of my time worrying about my financial future, questioning my life, and doubting myself. As a young person trying to find their place in the film world, it’s easy to get lost along a way. Sometimes I forget why I like movies so much, why I’m doing what I’m doing, spending so much of my time and energy on this one thing that is usually driving me crazy. I start thinking maybe this whole “passion” idea isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But every time I start spiraling into that abyss of negative thinking, I seem to watch a really good movie that changes my whole mood. It leaves me feeling excited and inspired, like my life has purpose. Maybe that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. I think that’s what passion is, and I think it’s important to follow it, even when it’s hard. Anyways, all this is to say that Portrait of a Lady on Fire had that effect on me. It reminded me why I love film. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), directed by Celine Sciamma, is a French romantic drama, and it is beautiful. I don’t think it’s enough to just say a film is beautiful as a reason for why you like it, though. That’s like if your partner asked you why you love them, and you were just like, “Uhhh, because you’re beautiful”. Not good. When you love someone, yeah you’re attracted to them, but you love everything about them. Yes, this movie is beautiful to look at, but what makes it beautiful is that every aspect of it is so good, not just the cinematography, but the script, the acting, the directing, the sound…that’s enough film terminology, you get the idea. I know that analogy isn’t perfect, but hey, nothing’s perfect. It’s an arthouse movie; it’s slow and subtle, so if that’s not usually your style, it might not be for you. If you liked Call Me by Your Name, you’re gonna like it. I could go on and on about how this movie is the perfect balance of intimacy and universality, but that’s not what this is about. What I will say is that there’s something about stories of fleeting love that make them such intensely emotional viewing experiences. If that’s what you’re looking for, then check it out.