Emma Rouault meets Charles Bovary, a country doctor, when he comes to set her father's broken leg. Emma, who is bored in her surroundings, sees the doctor as her escape from a life in a farm that holds no attractions in her view. She decides to marry the simple man and move away. Emma does not love Charles, as it becomes too apparently after they have settled in a small village.
The prospect of attending a ball given by a local marquis, lets her see the gilded life of moneyed gentry she secretly craves. Unfortunately, it is short lived because no further socializing comes from that event. Moving to a bigger town near Rouen brings her in contact with Rudolphe Boulanger, a man that will awake in her longings she never knew she had. The affair, which runs hot and heavy does not last; Rudolphe has seen the danger in the involvement, so he leaves her.
Emma discovers a different life in Rouen. Charles had taken her to the opera where she meets Leon Dupuis, who hails from Yonville. The attraction both feel about one another is mutual. Emma embarks in a double life in cheating Charles with the younger man. Extending herself in a lavish life comes back to haunt her, as merchant Lheureux comes to collect money she does not have. Emma finds herself against a wall and the only way out is to pay dearly for her bad judgment.
Claude Chabrol's undertook the task to bring one of France's best loved novels to the screen. Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" is a classic that does not lend itself to the medium. Yet, Chabrol, a man that was a master in dealing with lust, suspense, and crime, proved he was on the right track on how to present this complex work in cinematic terms. If there was one thing in which Claude Chabrol excelled was in the way he was able to dissect a text and turn it into vivid images that played well as a film. Because of the limitations of the medium, its 143 minutes running time is just about right. Flaubert would have been pleased with the adaptation, but of course, it will not please everyone. "Madame Bovary" is one of those novels that stay with the reader forever.
Casting Isabelle Huppert for the title role should have been an easy decision for the director. After all, Ms. Huppert collaborated extensively with him, and they had, what appears to be an easy relationship that worked well in the films where she was the main attraction. The film is worth a view because of the intensity Ms. Huppert brings to her Emma. The actress goes from boredom to passion with an amazing ease.
Jean-Francois Balmer does justice to his Charles Bovary, a dull man in love with a woman that did not appreciate him. Christophe Malavoy is perfect as Rudolphe Boulanger. Jean Yanne and Lucas Belvaux also contribute to the success of the film.
Jean Rabier's magnificent cinematography contribute to our enjoyment by showing the rural Normandy area where the film was shot in vivid detail. The incidental music is credited to Matthieu Chabrol, son of the director, working with Maurice Coignard and Jean-Michel Bernard.
The prospect of attending a ball given by a local marquis, lets her see the gilded life of moneyed gentry she secretly craves. Unfortunately, it is short lived because no further socializing comes from that event. Moving to a bigger town near Rouen brings her in contact with Rudolphe Boulanger, a man that will awake in her longings she never knew she had. The affair, which runs hot and heavy does not last; Rudolphe has seen the danger in the involvement, so he leaves her.
Emma discovers a different life in Rouen. Charles had taken her to the opera where she meets Leon Dupuis, who hails from Yonville. The attraction both feel about one another is mutual. Emma embarks in a double life in cheating Charles with the younger man. Extending herself in a lavish life comes back to haunt her, as merchant Lheureux comes to collect money she does not have. Emma finds herself against a wall and the only way out is to pay dearly for her bad judgment.
Claude Chabrol's undertook the task to bring one of France's best loved novels to the screen. Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" is a classic that does not lend itself to the medium. Yet, Chabrol, a man that was a master in dealing with lust, suspense, and crime, proved he was on the right track on how to present this complex work in cinematic terms. If there was one thing in which Claude Chabrol excelled was in the way he was able to dissect a text and turn it into vivid images that played well as a film. Because of the limitations of the medium, its 143 minutes running time is just about right. Flaubert would have been pleased with the adaptation, but of course, it will not please everyone. "Madame Bovary" is one of those novels that stay with the reader forever.
Casting Isabelle Huppert for the title role should have been an easy decision for the director. After all, Ms. Huppert collaborated extensively with him, and they had, what appears to be an easy relationship that worked well in the films where she was the main attraction. The film is worth a view because of the intensity Ms. Huppert brings to her Emma. The actress goes from boredom to passion with an amazing ease.
Jean-Francois Balmer does justice to his Charles Bovary, a dull man in love with a woman that did not appreciate him. Christophe Malavoy is perfect as Rudolphe Boulanger. Jean Yanne and Lucas Belvaux also contribute to the success of the film.
Jean Rabier's magnificent cinematography contribute to our enjoyment by showing the rural Normandy area where the film was shot in vivid detail. The incidental music is credited to Matthieu Chabrol, son of the director, working with Maurice Coignard and Jean-Michel Bernard.