La princesse de Clèves

The Princess of Cleves (La princesse de Clèves) is a movie adaptation of a French novel published anonymously in 1678 (the work is usually attributed Madame de La Fayette, but there are other candidates too). The story of the novel is set a century earlier at the French court, and this source material is the main ingredient that makes The Princess of Cleves so special: it takes us back to a time very different from ours, with all its ethics, morals and etiquette and so on. The captivating story, particularly appealing to those who enjoy deep doses or works of Romanticism and Historism (I do, at least from time to time), is complemented by a superb cast (shining: Jean Marais and Marina Vlady) and the finest imaginable costumes and settings. This movie may not be a good deal for those seeking swashbuckling action and murder by poison only or mainly, but it is a must-watch for those lost souls who long for the (idealized) beauty of long gone times.