I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t’aime)
Kristin Scott Thomas has lived in France for several years. Although this is not her first appearance in a French film, her role as Juliette in Philippe Claudel’s I’ve Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t’aime), is her most interesting to date. In fact, it’s captivating.
The story revolves primarily around two sisters: Juliette (played by Scott Thomas) and Lea (played by Elsa Zylberstein). In the film’s opening scenes, Juliette is sitting at an airport, nervously smoking. She has just arrived and her younger sister is coming to pick her up so that she can stay with her family for a while.
The patent nervousness underpinning the interaction between the two siblings indicates that this isn’t purely a social visit. Then there’s the obvious discomfort of Lea’s husband, Luc, who is clearly opposed to his sister-in-law’s presence in their home.
We learn that Juliette has been away. But where has she been, and why? It seems the only person to be unquestioningly accepting of Juliette, is Luc’s mute elderly father who also lives in the family home, and who spends most of his time in his room. In his presence, Juliette doesn’t feel the need to explain herself.
But the same can not be said of everyone else. Can Juliette cope with a world that has rejected her, and that has changed considerably in her absence? Can she live happily with others, and more importantly, can she live with herself?
Philippe Claudel has crafted an intriguing and sophisticated drama, performed with understated realism by an outstanding cast (particularly the women in the two lead roles). The French are to be commended for writing interesting roles for women. The mood of the film is complemented by Jean-Louis Aubert’s simple but effective acoustic score.
I’ve Loved You So Long is a tale of love, loyalty, judgement and redemption. Philippe Claudel has had a successful career as a writer of novels. His craftsmanship as a storyteller is apparent in this film. But if you didn’t know before you saw it, you’d hardly believe this film marks his directorial debut.