Simone, le voyage du siècle

Saw this at the Film Festival in Angoulême and was absolutely shocked by how Jewish suffering during the WW2 was portrayed. The actresses didn't act; they were dolls with too much make-up on and too good of a hairstyle to provoke any sympathy. The structure of the film is pretentious and doesn't work at all. One scene we're seeing images of men in camps in war torn Bosnia, and next scene we're sitting under a moonlit sky in the Mediterranean enjoying a romantic talk. How is this possible? Camera work is ugly; too much steady cam, too many close ups. And don't get me started on the music! Was there even one second when the spectator can catch a breath from the never ending score? No. This director should be banned from making films for life.

It is always hard to make a movie about someone who as done so much for humanity in every aspect, putting this in 2h20 is a real challenge. The movie is not perfect there is alot that could have been better, but it is still worth watching. There are some really beautiful parts of it too.

It is a carousel of emotions and history.

Knowing the history of Veil which is an endless inspiration, this movie showed some very beautiful and unique moments of her life. It was a mix of hope and melancholy, yet sometimes a little too overplayed and staged.

The movie was showing someone so strong and intellectual in her most vulnerable moments.

The camera also very intense at moments and the focus on the lighting not so bad either.

This movie manages to captivate me for two and a half hours. Touching from the first to the last minute. I knew nothing about Simone Veil, now I adore her. The staging and acting are unique, the decidedly unconventional script is courageous in its dramaturgy and - contrary to what many here in the reviews think - I think it works quite well with all its time jumps. The history of Judaism in the 20th century and also the history of democracy and the importance of the European Union are reflected through a very personal point of view. Although I have seen a lot of movies on the subject, I learned a lot. An unconditional recommendation!

I don't usually write a review but had to in response to the couple of bad reviews here.

Those who left bad reviews don't like inventive ways tk tell a story and want spoon fed chronological A - Z storytelling.

This was one of the most truly moving and well done movies I have seen in ages. The acting was incredible they were not "dolls" with "too much makeup on" I have to conclude the reviewer who said that was maybe in the business and jealous that did not get a part. The elder Simone wore some make up as was the era - no one else did!

Days later still thinking about this film. Do not miss it if you can see it. Moving and well done. It will definitely be a foreign film Oscar contender.

If you don't already know everything about Simone Veil's life and accomplishments, this movie isn't for you. And if you do, you probably won't like it either.

The movie constantly jumps from one period to another, from one subject to another, in an unforgiving 2h20 long artsy montage, mentioning people/organization names or showing them speak, without giving any clue as to who/what they are, so no chance to understand unless you're already an expert on the movie's subject.

Sexism is represented as very easily manageable and unthreatening, antisemitism is absent aside from the arrestations and camps...

I was so enthusiastic for a movie that tells Simone Veil's story, this movie is so not up to the task.