DeniDVD Vault: The Story Of Adel H (1975)
July 14th 2010 17:49
Category: Drama, What to Rent?
The late French director, Francois Truffaut, brings us a very compelling snapshot of 10 years out of the life of Adele Hugo, the youngest daughter of Victor Hugo played by French film actress Isabelle Adjani in the French and English film, The Story of Adele H.
The year is 1863, the United States is two years into the Civil War. British Troops have been stationed in Halifax Nova Scotia, formerly known as French Acadia, awaiting instructions from Britain as to whether they will support the Southern Confederacy and take arms against the Yankees. The British maintain a close check at the ports for European passengers and possible smuggling or spies. 19 year old Adele, disembarks the steamship known as The Floating City and manages to elude the guards.
There is nothing suspicious about this beautiful young lady, especially not to Mr. and Mrs. Saunders (Ruben Dorey and Sylvia Marriott) who own the boarding-house that will be her home for the next several years. To them, she's completely normal if a little secretive about her past life and where she
Bruce Robinson & Isabelle Adjani
The movie follows her gradatory path into madness that's quite possibly linked to the loss of her eldest sister who was the family favorite. Adele goes through her daily routines like any other person - she doesn't give the slightest indication that she's "off". She tracks down her lover with effortless lies and practiced ease during the day and by night she compulsively documents her thoughts and feelings in a daily journal and it is here we get a glimpse into a troubled mind although we are not quite what transpired between her and Pinson. During her first face-to-face meeting with Bruce, we begin to see the big picture. We see her torment at his rejection and her desperation when she attempts to force his hand by threatening to ruin his career.
Under Truffaut's brilliant direction, it is not until the end of the film that Adjani reveals Adele's decline through behavior
In the beginning of the film, Truffaut includes a prologue that says this is a true story and that the people are real. This is important because the script is based on the actual diaries of Adele Hugo, which are quite extensive and includes
Bruce Robinson as Lt. Pinson
The beautiful Isabelle Adjani was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress - she magically creates the mind of a disturbed young women without being creepy. Adjani plays Adele as totally harmless while at the same time adding a certain nobleness to her character. Pinson is more annoyed and stretched to the limit than anything - he doesn't fear for his safety he just wants her to leave him alone. Adjani occupies most of the scenes to bring the audience in on her point of view and it is a very painful and embarrassing ride to witness.
Adele Hugo was eventually escorted back to Guernsey, where her father placed her in a mental care facility where she lived to the ripe old age of 85. She died in 1915. There is no record of what ever became of Albert Pinson but I'm sure that's the way he would have wanted it.
This is a great film by a great director and in addition to the top-notch acting, the settings and costumes are exquisite. If you ever come across this little gem, which I discovered by accident, it's definitely worth the watch, no matter how cringing her self-degradation is at times.
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
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