Film: Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long)

Every week I read the TV listings and every week I hope for a cinema gem. Having long waited to see Kristin Scott Thomas's performance in Il y a longtemps que je t'aime I jumped at the chance to record it's showing on (the ever faithful) BBC4.

My curiousity lies largely in  Scott Thomas's bilingual performance. We are used to seeing the likes of French actresses Leslie Caron, and more recently Juliette Binoche and Marion Cotillard in English speaking roles as they make the move to Hollywood but it is a rarity to see a native English-speaker switching to a French language role.

In spite of the unsatisfactory explanation of her English accent (she is of English parentage and has spent a period living across the Channel), the film does not disappoint.


Scott Thomas plays a woman released from prison following a fifteen year sentence. The main body focuses on Juliette's struggle to readjust to life after prison. She is detached, distant and largely silent. The film shows the effects of her crime and subsequent imprisonment on her relationship with her sister (touchingly portrayed by Elsa Zylberstein). The pair begin to reconnect and in the emotional revelation of the film's finale, in contrast to the film's largely sombre look, there is a sense of hope.


If you're looking for a bit of light entertainment this is not the film for you but Scott Thomas's poignant performance is undoubtedly worth a look- thank you BBC4!