La storia vera della signora delle camelie or the "real" story of La Dame aux Camélias is also based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. The tragic love story of a poor writer who falls in love with a courtesan. Only Marie Duplessis is now called 'Alphonsine' instead of Camille (Greta Garbo film), Violetta (opera) or Marguerite (book/ballet).
The settings are raw in the beginning and beautiful splendor in the end. It's a consistent view of a woman who wants to get a better life. The conversations aren't romantic and some scenes actually show you what a 'courtesan' does for a living. Something the other versions don't.
Isabelle Huppert as Alphonsine looks meek, even subdue and bored but what fascinated me about her acting was the passion that's there ... somewhere. She depicts a person who at first takes this profession as a way to survive and then later on takes delight in the power she has over men and the money she earns with it. Yes, she's ill and it's shown frequently, trying to get a sympathy vote. What remains tragic is the fact that she can't hold on to her life, both profession as -Life-.
It's my favorite film version of La Dame aux Camélias. The 8 rate is due Huppert's performance. The slowness in the movie and my dislike of the actors was the reason for the original 7 rate and the only reason I don't rate it a 9 because I watched it a couple of times.
