The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)

Synopsis of The French Lieutenant's Woman

John Fowles' original novel The French Lieutenant's Woman was distinguished by a literary technique that involved telling a story of Victorian sexual and social oppression within the bounds of a 1970s viewpoint. How does one convey this time-frame dichotomy on film? The decision made by director Karel Reisz and Harold Pinter was to frame Fowles' basic plot within a "modern" context of their own making. While we watch as Sarah (Meryl Streep), a 19th-century Englishwoman ruined by an affair with a French lieutenant, enters into another disastrous relationship with principled young Charles (Jeremy Irons), we are constantly made aware that what we're seeing is only a film. This is done by surrounding the story with a modern narrative, focusing on a movie production company which is on location--filming The French Lieutenant's Woman. Meryl Streep doubles in the role of Sara and the American actress who plays her, while Jeremy Irons essays the dual role of Charles and the handsome Briton playing Charles. Likewise, everyone else in the cast is seen as "themselves" and as their French Lieutenant's Woman characters. Not surprisingly, the "real" Streep and Irons enter into an affair which closely parallels their characters' relationship. The commercial TV version of French Lieutenant's Woman eliminates 30 minutes' worth of "extraneous" scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

124 mins

Director(s):

Karel Reisz

Writer(s):

Harold Pinter

Producer(s):

Leon Clore

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Adult Language, Profanity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Brief Nudity, Strong Sexual Content)

Categories:

Romance

• 1981 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Sound
• 1981 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Anthony Asquith Award
• 1981 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Sound
• 1981 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Sound
• 1981 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
• 1981 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1981 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actress

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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