{"id":3705,"date":"2007-07-20T12:06:51","date_gmt":"2007-07-20T19:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3705"},"modified":"2024-06-08T20:31:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-09T03:31:04","slug":"french-lieutenants-woman-the-1981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3705","title":{"rendered":"French Lieutenant&#8217;s Woman, The (1981)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I have set myself beyond the pale. I am nothing. I am hardly human any more.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Poster-190x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Poster-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Poster-81x128.jpg 81w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Poster.jpg 479w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn a film set in 19th century England, a biologist (Jeremy Irons) engaged to an upstanding young woman (Lynsey Baxter) falls in love with a mysterious &#8220;fallen woman&#8221; (Meryl Streep). Meanwhile, the actors (Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep) playing the leads carry on an affair during the film&#8217;s shooting.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Actors and Actresses<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Karel Reisz Films<\/li>\n<li>Meryl Streep Films<\/li>\n<li>Morality Police<\/li>\n<li>Obsessive Love<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMeryl Streep is nothing short of extraordinary in Karel Reisz&#8217;s film version of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_French_Lieutenant's_Woman\">John Fowles&#8217; <em>The French Lieutenant&#8217;s Woman<\/em><\/a>. As both the titular heroine and the modern-day actress (Sarah) playing her, Streep astonishes us with her ability to completely immerse herself in dual roles. Yet it&#8217;s Anna &#8212; the &#8220;French lieutenant&#8217;s woman&#8221; &#8212; who ultimately captures our interest most keenly; she&#8217;s far more complex &#8212; and intriguing &#8212; than one would have imagined. Jeremy Irons, with his perennially concerned expression, is appropriately cast as Anna&#8217;s forlorn suitor, and the supporting cast members are all effective as well &#8212; but it&#8217;s Streep we&#8217;re really watching and waiting for.<\/p>\n<p>Playwright Harold Pinter wrote the film&#8217;s screenplay, adding the parallel love story set in modern times in an attempt to provide a latter-day commentary. While it&#8217;s ultimately unnecessary, it never detracts from the power of the primary story, and remains a clever narrative device. Yet it&#8217;s the historical drama which holds the most interest, as we anxiously await the outcome of Irons&#8217; doomed attraction. Fortunately, we&#8217;re rewarded for our patience: the plot takes unexpected twists and turns, and, like any good romantic mystery, makes us question what&#8217;s come before.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Meryl Streep&#8217;s wonderful performance(s)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Streep-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jeremy Irons as the fatally love-struck Charles<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Irons-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Beautifully evoked period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Period-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effective use of natural settings to convey the turmoil of Charles and Sara&#8217;s burgeoning romance<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/07\/French-Lieutenants-Woman-Nature-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for Streep&#8217;s standout performance<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0082416\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1981\/09\/18\/movies\/the-french-lieutenant-s-woman.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/the-french-lieutenants-woman-1981\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I have set myself beyond the pale. I am nothing. I am hardly human any more.&#8221; Synopsis: In a film set in 19th century England, a biologist (Jeremy Irons) engaged to an upstanding young woman (Lynsey Baxter) falls in love with a mysterious &#8220;fallen woman&#8221; (Meryl Streep). Meanwhile, the actors (Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep) playing the leads carry on an affair during the film&#8217;s shooting. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Actors and Actresses Historical Drama Karel Reisz Films Meryl&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3705\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3705"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97457,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705\/revisions\/97457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}