Céline Sciamma directs Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Luàna Bajrami in this romance where a painter must secretly complete a wedding portrait on an distant island of a beautiful woman who does not want to be betrothed.

There is a thrusting simplicity to this that made me wonder midway through what all the critical hoo-ha was about? Both leads are gorgeous and capable, the plot has the feel of a fable, the feminist message is strong but it all unfolds in measured, uncomplicated storytelling sweeps. That purity is a weapon. The chemistry, the unfussy beauty of it all sneaks up on you. The final few scenes have such power that you realise you’ve been rope-a-doped. Spellbound. Affected. A great movie romance.

8

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