La maîtresse du lieutenant français

Original title: The French Lieutenant's Woman

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

16K

YOUR RATING

Meryl Streep in La maîtresse du lieutenant français (1981)

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Period Drama Tragedy Drama Romance

Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.Anna and Mike portray two characters in a film set in 19th century England who fall in love despite the fact that Mike's character is engaged.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

16K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 5 Oscars
- 11 wins & 20 nominations total

Trivia
The source novel does not feature the subplot of the actors and actresses playing the parts in a modern day movie. However, it had three alternate endings, from which readers could choose their favorite. Creating two parallel story lines allowed the filmmakers to include two of those endings, one happy and one tragic.

Goofs
While at the house in the Lake District, the reaction to Sarah being pushed to the ground by Charles is genuine. Meryl Streep actually hits her head on the floor and when Jeremy Irons acknowledges, she nods, giggles, and reorients herself in position next to him.

Quotes
Sarah: I knew it was ordained that I should never marry an equal; so, I married shame. It is my shame that has kept me alive - my knowing that I am truly not like other women. I - I shall never, like them, have - children and a husband, and the pleasures of a home. Sometimes I pity them. I have a freedom they cannot understand. No insult, no blame, can touch me. I have set myself beyond the pale. I am nothing. I am hardly human any more. I am the French lieutenant's - whore!

Connections
Featured in The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)

Soundtracks
Adagio from Sonata in D, K 576
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)
Played by John Lill

User reviews97

Featured review

6/10

Emotionally Distant Production

Despite solid performances from both Streep and Irons, I was unable to really emotionally engage with the film, in particular the dual love stories presented. Not sure exactly what was holding things back for me, perhaps it the back and forth in time perspective, not sure exactly but I am not feeling very enthusiastic about the French Lieutenant's Woman.