Can a man who is guilty of murder (EMIR KUSTURICA) possibly be spared from the guillotine by a French women (JULIETTE BINOCHE) whose husband rules the French island of St. Pierre and has sent for a guillotine to shipped for the express purpose of beheading the guilty man.
And so, while all the islanders agree that punishment is the only option, the Captain's wife takes a shine to the ruggedly handsome, strapping fellow (who resembles a young Jean Gabin). He turns out to be vulnerable and sweet beneath his outward rough appearance and she sees that he can be rehabilitated if she's given the chance to work with him. That's the essence of the story, and unfortunately the resolution is never really firmly established but remains rather ambiguous.
All the performances are of the highest order, especially Juliette Binoche and Emir Kusturica. Their chemistry is palatable and keeps the viewer hooked to see what will finally happen.
Well worthwhile despite a certain slowness in the telling and sure to appeal to those with a taste for the artistic.
And so, while all the islanders agree that punishment is the only option, the Captain's wife takes a shine to the ruggedly handsome, strapping fellow (who resembles a young Jean Gabin). He turns out to be vulnerable and sweet beneath his outward rough appearance and she sees that he can be rehabilitated if she's given the chance to work with him. That's the essence of the story, and unfortunately the resolution is never really firmly established but remains rather ambiguous.
All the performances are of the highest order, especially Juliette Binoche and Emir Kusturica. Their chemistry is palatable and keeps the viewer hooked to see what will finally happen.
Well worthwhile despite a certain slowness in the telling and sure to appeal to those with a taste for the artistic.