A Very Long Engagement

Original title: Un long dimanche de fiançailles

2004
R
2h 13m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Audrey Tautou and Gaspard Ulliel in A Very Long Engagement (2004)

Period Drama Romantic Epic War Epic Drama Mystery Romance War

Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

77K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 17 wins & 35 nominations total

Trivia
When casting Jodie Foster, Jean-Pierre Jeunet met her in Paris at the café which was used to shoot the scenes in Amélie (2001) which is near where he lives. Some tourists were at the café, knowing it was featured in the film, asked Jeunet and Foster to move out of the way (not recognizing them) so that they could take a photograph of the café.

Goofs
In the film there is an important storyline about an albatross. However, throughout the film in all footage depicting the albatross a gannet is shown. Though a gannet is also a large seabird, it looks nothing like an albatross.

Quotes
Ange Bassignano: [writes] "Revenge is pointless. Try to be happy and don't ruin your life for me."

Connections
Edited from Winged Migration (2001)

Soundtracks
Ça ne Vaut pas l'Amour
Music by François Perpignan
Lyrics by Alexandre Trébitsch
Performed by Esther Lekain

User reviews260

Review

Featured review

8/10

Best movie this year

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie on a special preview last night and I was enthralled at its story line and cinematic experience. I wasn't a great fan of Amelie and hence was not expecting any particular out-of-body experience in viewing this. But I was wrong. It is a wonderful piece of story telling somewhat difficult to follow if you do have a short memory span for character names and flashbacks. Yet at the end, it seamlessly closes the web in a beautifully written script that has been well acted and filmed. It is particularly gory in the WWI battle scenes but probably accurate in depiction whilst the locations where the film was shot seem out of this world (hoped they were not computer generated). Quaint towns, fields, beaches and houses lend a beautiful touch to the story of a love that will not die whilst Audrey Tautou delivers a spellbinding performance in a child-like heroine with a will of steel. A special mention must be given to Bruno Delbonnel's camera work which simply is amazing. Can't wait for the DVD.