Children of the Century

Original title: Les enfants du siècle

1999
2h 15m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel in Children of the Century (1999)

Home Video Trailer from Koch Lorber Films

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Biography Drama Romance

A story of doomed passion between two genius writers of the 19th century - novelist George Sand and poet Alfred de Musset.A story of doomed passion between two genius writers of the 19th century - novelist George Sand and poet Alfred de Musset.A story of doomed passion between two genius writers of the 19th century - novelist George Sand and poet Alfred de Musset.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
George Sand's estate loaned the production some of Sand's jewelry, including a sapphire ring, which Juliette Binoche wears throughout the film.

Quotes
George Sand: Love does exist, it's not an illusion. One merely has to recognise it, and be humble before it.

Alternate versions
The original French theatrical version, which runs at 135 mins begins as Sand plans to leave her husband and Musset's father dies. This version continues after their final meeting as Sand begins to write her story and attempts in vain to see Musset one last time. This version ends with a direct to camera address by Sand at Musset's tomb. A shorter theatrical version was released in Germany, Spain, UK and US which begins with Sand reading from "Lélia" and ends with Sand and Musset's final meeting. It runs at 105 mins. This version contains two new scenes: Sand and Musset being introduced to each other and a dance sequence. However the opening sequences featuring Sands arrival in Paris during an uprising and her relationship with Marie Dorval are lost, as are the closing scenes as she attempts to see Musset a final time. Most DVD releases have favored the Original 135 min version which was more critically popular.

Connections
Version of A Song to Remember (1945)

User reviews16

Review

Featured review

7/10

Beautiful but Flawed

Diane Kury's oppulent film is a mixed bag. In it's favour it features

real life lovers Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel on excellent

form. As Alfred de Musset Magimel gives us a young man

completely out of his mind on a cocktail of opium and absinthe. A

man deeply creative and talented, but unable to function as a

human being. Binoche's George Sand is a strong a determined

woman. The scene where she finds that Musset may die after

overdosing is wonderfully performed with passion and grandeur.

The film comes alive in her eyes. As filmed by Vilko Filac and

dressed by Christian La Croix, Binoche has never looked more

beautiful or sensual.

However Kurys' direction and her screenplay, co-written by

Francois Olivier Rousseau and Murray Head, lacks direction and

understanding of her period. The brothel scenes are particularly

over the top. Yet her direction of her actor is magnificent.

What is missing from Kurys' film most of all however is Sand and

Musset as writers, as creative masters. There is no sense of their

value in the film beyond their doomed love affair.

Les Enfants du Siecle is a mixed bag, but certainly worth a look.