Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Film Review

France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly.

There’s something so beautiful and magical about Céline Sciamma‘s Portrait of a Lady on Fire that’s present in the first scene all the way to the last. Even though the film isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, it’s still a film that brings out so much joy within its audience, giving us so much warmth and embrace. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a hug.

Sciamma has crafted a film that’s impeccably detailed and brimming with so much passion, and care. It’s a refined drama that manages to be both highly intriguing and also mesmerizing. It’s one of those rare historical fiction films that will genuinely get you thinking about life, love, and what it means to have a legacy.

A lot of this movie is simply watching these two women do a variety of different things such as observing each other and watching Marianne paint. For some, this may be an extreme chore to have to sit through a movie like this, but personally, I found it to be utterly delightful and striking.

There’s something so fantastically joyous about watching Marianne and Héloïse interacting with each other. They have an interesting relationship throughout the movie that I won’t get into due to spoiler concerns, but just know that the journey they go on as characters is quite special.

And speaking of Marianne and Héloïse, their respective actors are absolutely dazzling. Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel are not only fantastic in their roles, but they also have some of the best chemistry I’ve seen in a film in a long time. As the film unfolds, you watch their intimacy grow which eventually blossoms into a beautiful symbol of their love. It’s genuinely amazing.

Aside from all that, it’s also just a stunning-looking movie with gorgeous cinematography by Claire Mathon and an overall aesthetically pleasing color palette. The costume, makeup, and hair departments all did a remarkable job here as well, coming together to craft a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautifully intimate historical romantic drama brimming with detail, and acted impeccably by Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel.